

EZ2 



THE PINK 
DEBTEES 

AN ORIGINAL PLAY 



EDWARD F. 
FLYNN 



The Cornhill Company 





Book ■? 'V.< 

CoDvri^ht F 



CDEOHQm DEPOSm 



THE PINK DEBTEES 



The Pink Debtees 

An Original Play 



IN THREE ACTS 



EDWARD F. FLYNN 




THE CORNHILL COMPANY 
BOSTON 






Copyright, 1918, by 
THE CORNHILL COMPANY 



Copr/right, 1916, by Edward F. Flynn, as dramatic composition. 

*'The Pink Deetees.'' All rights reserved, including that 

of translation into foreign languages 



MAR 22 1919 

©CI.A.5I276G 



CHARACTERS 



Blake Jackson (Called "Jack") 

Hal Davis of the "Times" ^ 

Bob Phelps > Friends of Jackson 

"Buddy" Stair j 

Dr. Rodgers, Superintendent of Harvue Hospital 

James Pole Catt, ^ 

wISL^ jZ^ of the Zoo \ DT patients at Harvue 

John Hall J 

Dr. McIntosh, in charge of DT ward at Harvue 

Raynor, attorney for the defense 

RoHR, District Attorney 

Judge Charles 

Louis Mundt, an orderly at Harvue 

Fox, a detective 

Bill Hunt, a friend of Adams 

Foster, Jackson's manservant 

Clerk of Court 

Court Stenographer 

Deputy Sheriff 

Bailiff 

Barbara Duncan 

Flora Andrews ) xt x tt 

AmtBukt [Nurses at Harvue 

Ethel Jackson, Jackson's sister 
Mrs. Duncan, Barbara's mother 
Marie, Barbara's maid 

Assistant district attorneys, bailiffs, deputies, nurses, patients at Harvue, 
orderiies, newsboys, court spectators, etc. 

TIME: The Present 

Act I. Right half of stage is Jackson's lounging room in his apartments in 
New York apartment district of exclusive class. Left half of 
stage is Barbara's room in her mother's home in residence dis- 
trict — "Riverside Drive." Both buildings are in different parts 
of New York City. (Follow plot.) 
It is a bright sunshiny afternoon in eariy June. 

Act II. A Ward in Harvue City Hospital, New York City 
A few days elapse between Acts I and II 

NOTE: The curtain will descend for two minutes in this act to denote the 
passage of time from Tuesday until the following Saturday. 

Act III. A Criminal Court Room, New York City 

About two months and a half elapse between Acts II and III 



THE PINK DEBTEES 



HIS APARTMENT R. 

(y\a\ buildings eic. background) 
(Exclusive district) 

Cascmeni Windows 



Chair 



Small 
table 






u 
o 
o 





V5 




«a 


J- 


o 






cd X 


-C 


o 


v>^ 


o 



fQ 



HER APARTMENT L. 

(Garde\7 and residence backoround) 
(' Fountain playmo) 

French Wii^dow^ 



Library Table 
and Chairs 

(Well down front) 



Small 
table 






Chair 



0/ 






Tabl€> and 
Chairs 

(Wfll doTvr? front) 



UJ 



THE PINK DEBTEES 



ACT I 

There are two rooms in the setting for this act. On the R is Jackson's 
room, a lounging room in his apartment. The walls are done in Tiffany blue 
with darker blue and gold stencils of a special design. Ornamental plaster 
or oak beams on ceiling run R and L on ceiling and rest on mantel which ex- 
tends to ceiling. Fireplace has spun brass fender and andirons of brass. The 
draperies around casement windows are a rich blue with figures having touch 
of gold in them. The casement windows are rather large but do not extend 
to the floor. In front of table, or rather to right of it and placed against it, 
is large settee or lounge in front of fireplace. Book cases have well filled 
shelves and on table Down C are a lot of medical and legal books. The room 
is richly but not gaudily furnished and not over done. 

Barbara Duncan's room in her mother's residence is on the L half of the 
stage. It is done in white enamel woodwork and walls of a delicate pink — 
rather an imitation of pink marble with darker border of pink roses. The 
French windows are open and there are old rose draperies drawn partly back; 
on these and underneath draperies are lace curtains of a cream shade. 

Fimiiture arranged as indicated on plot. Three chairs are about the table 
down C in Jackson's apartment and one on either side of table down C in 
Barbara's room. Another chair is placed back of this table when tea is 
served, being taken from in front of book case. 

In Barbara's room the door L3E leads to outer hall and the one LIE to 
another room in the residence. Through the French windows may be seen 
gardens, and other fashionable residences are in the distance. In the garden 
of the Duncan residence and not far from the windows can be seen a fountain 
playing. 

The idea here is to have two separate acts in one — showing what is 
transpiring in two different places at the same time. The action is so timed 
that it will not interfere at any time with the dialogue and will obviate the 
necessity of two acts — besides being novel and practical. When necessary 
the drapery indicated by the ( ) marks at the down stage side of dividing 
wall and which is fastened by a "rope" of twisted blue and old rose smaller 
ropes, can be drawn back a distance of six or eight feet permitting a better 
view of the stage from boxes or extreme right and left sides of parquet and 
orchestra portion of "house." When characters are in both rooms at the 
same time this "curtain" is permitted to fall and entirely divides the rooms. 
The background must be the principal means — other than the program — 
of showing the idea and intent of the two rooms being used at the same time 
in two different parts of the city — in the same act. 



4 THE PINK DEBTEES 

The drapery or "curtain" dividing the rooms below the division wall on 
the L side is of the same material as that used in the draperies in Barbara's 
room, and on Jackson's side of the same material as the draperies in his room. 

There is a mulberry colored rug in room L and a deep brown (and dark 
blue figures) rug in the room R. 

To complete eflFect there are ornaments and pictures about, and on table 
back of lounge in Jackson's room are books and magazines, ash tray, etc. 

(Enter R3 ''Buddy'' Stair and ''Bob'' Phelps. Stair is a man 
of about 25 y good looking, slender and rather "easy going." 
Phelps, about the same age, is impulsive and pleasant, al- 
ways ready to smile and very genial disposition. Is athletic 
in build and rather tall. Both are dressed in business suits 
in good taste. Both, as curtain rises, stick their heads in 
door R3 and act as if they expected to see someone there. 
They then come down to Rl and look into room there. They 
find no one there. 

Bob, who has come down on R side, looks around. Goes to fire 
place and looks around in it and up the flue — while 
Buddy looks under chair in front of book cases. Bob 
goes up and looks under stand above them. Nothing is said, 
but boys look at each other. Then march together to large 
library table C and look under books and articles ad lib. — 
occasionally registering surprise at not finding Jackson. 
After looking in three or four books — they slam books down 
at same time. 

Bob and Buddy: Nobody home. 

Bob : That's the way it's been every time I've come here for 
the past week. Can't imagine what's the matter with 
Jack. He must have something serious in his noodle. 

Buddy: If it weren't for the fact that he's girl shy, I'd ven- 
ture to opine that Mr. Cupid had tripped him up. 

Bob: Listen here: You can't tell anything by that. Practice 
doesn't make perfect, in love — it may in golf — but the 
amateurs in this love business — well — they are the 
ones that make it at par. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 6 

Buddy: If you are right in your opinion, then Jack certainly 
has it bad. We might as well arrange with the undertaker. 
{They laugh.) 

Bob {they have been standing near library table. Looking at 
law and medical books piled on it) : Do you suppose Jack 
is studying law? {Looking at label on back of law book) 67 
Northwestern Reporter. 

Buddy: Northwestern Reporter? Sounds more like a news- 
paper. Maybe Jack is going to the Northwest. 

Bob: Don't you know a law book when you see one? This 
is what they report appellate court decisions in. These 
things help lawyers to fool the courts — and the public — 
and buying them — that is, paying for them, keeps most 
lawyers busy " shooing " the wolf away from the porte 
cochere. 

Buddy: Oh, yes — I see — the high cost of lying, eh? 

Bob {sits in chair Right of library table as Buddy sits Left of it) : 
Yep. But the lawyers aren't always to blame. The an- 
cient and honorable practice which the courts force them 
to follow, naturally encourages tricks and petty fogging. 

Buddy: Why I thought your father was a judge? 

Bob: He is, but he's simply judge of the supreme court. In 
this state our district courts are termed supreme courts, 
so " dad " has to do what the higher court judges rule. 

Buddy: How do you mean? 

Bob: Why, his decisions are subject to theirs. They reverse 
any decision of this they do not like. I understand that 
frequently these higher courts " trade " their decisions, — 
politics — politics! But that has nothing do with "Jack." 

Buddy {looking at pile of books near his portion of table) : What 
is all this about anyway? See, here is Osler-McCrea Mod- 
em Medicine, Volume 2. 

Bob: Another newspaper I suppose? Osier? Isn't he the 
fellow who tried to give all fifty-year old men the count? 



6 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Buddy: I think so. This is medicine anyway. Here are a 
lot more of them. {Spells the first name) W-i-t-t-h-a-u-s 
& Becker Medical Jurisprudence, Volume 3. Forensic 
Medicine and Toxicology. 

Bob {with emphasis on both words): Medical Jurisprudence. 
Mixing his drinks — eh? 

Buddy {taking up another book) : Here's a place with a book 
mark in it. Let's see what it is. {Reads) " Alcoholics.'* 
You are right about the drinks, Bob. 

Bob {who has opened Osier, Vol, 11, Page J^IS) : What do you 
know about this? Listen — hard. This is marked, too: 
" BonhoflFer quotes Elsholz as having found an increase 
in the {spelling and trying to pronounce words; says them 
incorrectly) polynuclear leukocytes and a diminishing of 
the m-o-n-o-n-u-c-l-e-a-r but no 1-e-u-k-o-c-y-t-o-s-i-s. In 
case of delirium the e-o-s-i-n-o-p-h-i-l-e-s were absent." 
{Looks up panting for breath.) 

Buddy: Who were absent — the *' Phillies? " Non-essen- 
tials, eh? 

Bob {reading again) : ** In case of delirium the eosinophiles 
were absent." I should think that enough to make de- 
lirium vacate. I'd chance the DT's myself. 

Buddy: Wonder what an operation for that — what is it — 
{Goes behind Bob looking over Bob's shoulder — spelling) 
P-o-l-y-n-u-c-l-e-a-r 1-e-u-k-o-c-y-t-o-s-i-s would cost? 

Bob : The price of a limousine, I'll bet. 

Buddy: Take it from Uncle Buddy — there isn't one doctor 
in a hundred ever heard of that. When they find out 
about it appendicitis and anthrax and those ordinary 
things will die natural deaths — and the elite will have 
operations for — {trying to pronounce it) polynuclear 
leukocytosis. {He resumes his seat.) 

Bob: I'm going to tie up my dog. When the Rockefeller 
Institute reads this Osier statement they will send out for 



THE PINK DEBTEES 7 

some dogs to operate on to see if they — the dogs — have 
polynuclear leukocytosis. 

Buddy: No doubt " Jack " has discovered this polynuclear 
stuff and is going to get in on the ground floor. 

Bob: You mean — beat the dogs to it? 

Buddy: Or the Institute. 

Bob (they are still opening medical and law books) : All these 
books are marked at " Alcoholics " " Delirium tremens " 
" Alcoholic trance," and kindred subjects. This is cer- 
tainly nothing if not interesting. I'm getting dizzy al- 
ready. If I don't get away from this I'll commence to 
see things pretty soon. 

Buddy: Getting in deeper. Here, listen: {looking at label) 
" Strumpel Text Book of Medicine, Confusional Insanity 
or Alcoholic Hallucinations." 

Bob {taking book away from him) : That will do. Let us try 
some of these law books — perhaps we can get some re- 
lief in them. ( They turn to law books and start to open them.) 
{On line *' Relief in them " enter Hal Davis of the " Times,''' 
He is a short man about 5 feet ^, nearly thirty y full of " Pep " 
when himself y but sometimes very dignified and reserved. 
He carries a cane and wears " glasses " and rubs them with 
his pocket handkerchief — semi-occasionally. As he comes 
to door he sees Bob and Buddy. He does not remove his hat. 
As he comes down he says,) 

Hal: Greetings! 

Buddy and Bob: Hello, Hal! {They get up and shake hands 
with him. He remains Centre, Bob Right and Buddy 
Left,) 

Hal: Where's Doc? 

Buddy: You've hit it right this time. You call everybody 
** Doc," and it must be your pernicious habit that has 
caused Jack to become one. 

Hal: Become what? 



8 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Bob: As near as we can figure it out he is studying medicine 
— or law, or law and medicine mixed. 

Hal: I hope he chokes. 

Buddy: He will if he continues reading this stuff. It's ter- 
rible. Say, Mr. Wise Owl, do you know what polynuclear 
leukcoytes is? 

Hal: Polly who? 

Buddy: Polynuclear leukocytes? 

Hal: That's easy — one of the new dances. 

Bob {laughing) : Guess again. 

Hal: Anna Pavlova's dancing partner. 

Bob: Nope! 

Hal: A Bolsheviki general? 

Bob: Nix on the Slav stuff. 

Hal: New breakfast food? 

Buddy: Getting farther away all the time. 

{Hal takes white handkerchief from pocket, fastens it to his 
cane and holds it up, waving it, says nothing.) 

Bob : We thought we could comer you sometime, and now 
we've done it. 

Hal: Now that I've capitulated, tell me about Polly. 

Bob : Too much for us, we can't make it out. 

Hal: My dear children, in the bright lexicon — say, where 
is a lexicon — or a dictionary? We'll find out what this 
means. 

Bob: No. There are so many things to look up it would 
take a week and the less we know about it the better for 
us. But say, what do you think about our trip? I'm for 
going without Jack if he delays longer. Here we have 
waited three or four days for him now and a week of our 
vacation gone. I've been ready — and you, too, for 
days — had everything arranged and now we have but 
three weeks left. 

Buddy {walks up and down): I'm getting pretty much dis- 



THE PINK DEBTEES 9 

gusted with Jack myself. He's all right when he's him- 
self and I'd hate to go without him, but now — I don't 
know what to think. Why should we wait any longer 
for him? We saw Foster, his man, on the street just now. 
He says Jack will be along in a few minutes and if he 
won't start with us tonight — let's go. He may come 
when he's dam good and ready. 

Hal: I hopes he chokes. 

Bob {takes up book) : Let's see what he has marked in these 
Blackstonian things. This is 67 Northwestern Reporter, 
Page 706. Listen to this: French versus State. I refuse 
to read this — I'm neutral. 

Hal {goes to him, looks over his shoulder) : Go ahead — that 
isn't about the war. Look — it says — Homicide Trial 
of Issue — Evidence — Delirium Tremens. 

Buddy: That's what all those medical books are about. 

Bob {taking up hook): It says here that while drunkenness 
is no excuse for the commission of a crime, delirium 
tremens, caused by drunkenness might relieve the person 
of all responsibiUty. Here is a case cited. {Reading) 
"When he came to the house that day he looked wild, his 
eyes were glassy and he looked pale. He said, ' The devil 
has always been before me and now he has got to get 
behind me.' " 

Hal: Old Nick ought to be willing to take a back seat oc- 
casionally. He is altogether too prestmaptuous. 

Bob {continues to read): Here again: "Rea, a witness, testi- 
fies: * He was very much excited and looked dangerous. 
His eyes were glassy looking, and he trembled and looked 
very nervous.'" 

Hal: Anything glassy looking that trembles ought to be 
nervous. 

Buddy: I'm getting interested. Did they decide he really 
had delirium tremens.^ 



10 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Bob : Seems as if that was the whole question, and they de- 
cided they would try the case all over again to see whether 
he really had delirium tremens. 
Buddy: What I am wondering about is just how far a fellow 
could get into trouble, pretend he had deUrium tremens 
and get out of it. If it w^as so hard for the court to decide 
whether this man had the willies, why isn't it always a 
question? 
{Bob reads,) 
Hal: It is. If it weren't we could get along without courts, 
and such things and enjoy the jim jams at our leisure. 
Don't you try to get glassy-eyed and nervous and tremble 
and try to slip anything over on our courts. It isn't right 
to fool the courts — it makes them undignified and if 
courts should be any one thing, that one is dignified. 

Buddy: That will do — that will do. We didn't ask you for 
a speech. Courts should do as they please. Haven't they 
always done so? 

Bob {who has been looking through 2^ N. JB. Reporter) : Here's 
another case where the courts got all mixed up about 
delirium tremens. Jack must be writing a book on the 
subject. 

Hal: Yes. " Jackson on the Willies, or how to be nervous, 
trembling and glassy and not look it." 

Bob : There are cited here dozens and dozens of cases on the 
subject. 

Buddy {sitting with head on hands as if thinking hard) : I'm 
going to figure this thing out yet. 

Hal: Yes, you are not. You couldn't do it burrowing with a 
Burroughs. 

Bob {picking up a book reads): "Here are all the symptoms: 
(1) Delirium taking the form of apprehensiveness on the 
part of the patient. He is fearful of something, fears pur- 
suit by officers or foes, sometimes demons and snakes are 



THE PINK DEBTEES 11 

about him. (2) Sleeplessness. Delirium tremens cannot 
exist without this. (3) Tremulousness, especially of the 
hands, but showing itself in the limbs and tongue. (4) 
After a time sleep occurs and reason itself returns. 
(Hal trying to make hands and tongue and limbs tremble andy 
staring, walks about very unsteadily , mumbles and stutters. 
Comes to object of ornament on fireplace, throws it down and 
breaks it to pieces. Sits in chair, closes eyes. Comes out of 
it in a second or two.) 
Bob: See what you did. {Showing him the broken article.) 
Hal {staring open mouthed) : My heavens, what have I done 

— what have I done — honestly, gentlemen, I never did 
it. Can't remember a thing. 

Bob {addressing Buddy) : Your honor — the evidence shows 
this man committed this crime while enjoying the willies 

— it is evident he was: first — apprehensive; second — 
sleepless; third — tremulous; fourth — After a time 
sleep occurred and reason itself returned. Your honor — 
need I snore — I mean say more? 

Hal: See, I told you — nothing to it — if you do it right. 
{Foster, Jackson's man, has entered at Right 3 on " See I 
told you.''' He has several law books and medical works in 
arms. Puts them on table Centre with other volumes. He is 
ordinary " man " — not too " buttery. '' Has on business 
suit — black.) 

Bob: Say, Foster, what is all this stuff? 

Foster {going toward door Right 1) : I'm sure I don't know, 
Mr. Phelps. You can tell as much about it as I can. Mr. 
Jackson has been spending most of his vacation so far 
at Doctor Ihler's oflBce and when he hasn't been there — 
he's been at Lynn & Raynor's law office. 

Buddy: Must be going to forsake the " street " for one of 
these professions I suppose. 

Foster: Not that serious I think, sir, but he seems to be en- 



12 THE PINK DEBTEES 

joying it immensely. He hasn't said anything about 
going to " the beach," so he must be very much interested. 

Bob: Where is he now? 

Foster: I left him at Doctor Ihler's but he'll be here pres- 
ently, sir. {Exit Right 1.) 

Hal: I hopes he chokes. 

Buddy {gets up, walks down — says emphatically) : Now see 
here, fellows, I'm going to inform Mr. Blake Jackson, 
Esquire, that I have fooled around here long enough and 
he has to decide right this hour what he is going to do. If 
he won't leave with us in the morning we want to know 
that forthwith. Of course he's a jolly good fellow and all 
that — 

Bob: But what has all this book stuff to do with our going 
on our vacation? If Jack doesn't arrive within the next 
five minutes, me for the tall timber. 

Hal: Let's decide what to say to him when he comes. Let's 
not permit him to delay us any longer. Do we all agree 
to that. 

Buddy: Settled. 

Bob : Shall we try to find out what all this — {pointing to 
array of books) means? 

Buddy: Yes. Let's tell him we have read the places marked 
and know what his fine scheme is. 

Bob: Suppose he asks us questions. 

Buddy: We'll tell him he has polynuclear leukocytes and a 
diminishing of the mononuclear eosinophiles. 

Hal: If that doesn't hold him I hope he chokes. 

Bob: Someone's coming! No doubt it's he. Suppose we 
each get a law book or medical book and be lost in study 
when he comes in — and not pay any attention to him. 

Buddy: All right, here goes. 

{Each hurriedly take book from table. Bob sits back of 
table Centre; Hal sits Left of it, and Buddy Right,) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 13 

Hal: I tell you — let's wait a short time in study after he 
comes in, then we'll pretend to have DT's. I'll start it. 

Buddy and Bob: All right, fine. 

(After all are seated pretending to be diligently studying from 
law and medical books — about two or three seconds elapse 
and Blake Jackson enters Right 5, whistling or singing 
*^ Beautiful Lady " from " Pink Lady " He is neatly dressed 

— not foppish or overdone — rather tall, and good lookingy 

— thirty years of age — no moustache, is quick and snappy, 
full of " pep " — walks towards table down Centre before 
he notices all three ''boys'^ — backs to himfacing front reading 

— they pay no attention to him. He is puzzled at first — 
walks to each and still they pay no attention. He then goes 
to back of each to see just what each is reading — ascertains 
that each is reading from some part of book previously 
marked by him. He laughs and slaps his hands to his knees. 
Is greatly amused. Continues to look from one to the other 
of the ** boys " who are absorbed in books, and Jackson^s 
gaiety gradually subsides. 

{On the other set, Barbara enters at Left 3E.) 
{She is dressed entirely in pink suit, hat, shoes, gloves and 
all; pink parasol, too. On her entrance orchestra plays 
softly " Beautiful Lady " from " Pink Lady,'' and Jackson 
whistles or sings a line or two of it — as he wonderingly looks 
at boys. While Jackson's business is being worked out Bar- 
bara walks down to table Centre and removes gloves — finds^ 
note on her table from Dr. Rodgers which she opens and reads 
to herself — so as to time with business opposite. She is a 
very pretty young woman of twenty-five, medium height, 
rather dark brown eyes, very good face — that is intelligent as 
well as pretty.) 
Barbara: So dear Old Doctor Rodgers will be here in a few 
minutes. I can hardly wait. This will certainly be the 
great adventure of my life. I feel it in my heart. I'm so 
excited ! 



14 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{She starts to door Right 1, arriving there about time Hal 
commences to show signs of delirium, HaVs business will 
have to be worked from Barbara's cue.) 
I hope the things come soon. 

{She exits Left IE.) 

Hal {Commences to show signs of tremor in hands, twitches eyes, 
eyebrows, face, arms, legs. Tries to get up, walks unsteadily. 
Not drunkenly, can hardly move, but goes toward Right 3, 
where there is seat, falls into it — stares towards front — 
Jackson watching closely — others fay no attention to Hal, 
but continue intent upon works they are reading. This busi- 
ness can continue and will be worked up — finally tries to 
talk — mumbles) : I — hope — 'e — chokes. 

Bob {same business as Hal — ad lib. — then tries to talk — 
mumbles — as he goes toward wall at Right) : H-o-l-d — 
w-a-1-1 — faUing — dow-n. 

{He braces up against wall as if it were falling on him — 
and continues business ad lib.) 

{Meantime Hal mumbling — and continuing tremors — 
while Buddy — still absorbed as before, pays no attention 
to others. Jackson is growing serious — watches them 
closely.) 

{Jackson — business of going from Hal to Bob — shakes 
them, pinches arms, etc., ad lib. They do not notice him.) 

Buddy {Same business as Hal and Bob, but comes down ex- 
treme Left of Jackson's room near " party wall " — he evi- 
dently imagines someone is talking to him — is hearing 
voices — and listens at walls and other places — business 
ad lib. — mumbles occasionally) : What's that? — louder 
— I can't — hear — you. 

Jackson {following him) : Here, Buddy — what's the matter — 
{Shakes him and tries to bring him " out of it.'' Calls 
Foster. Business of looking at different men.) 

Foster {coming from D Right 1): Yes, sir. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 15 

Jackson: What's the matter with these fellows? 

{Buddy, Hal and Bob maintain their positions rigidly — 
glaring, trying to work the glassy stuff,) 

Foster: Why, sir — I hadn't noticed anything. They were 
all right a few minutes ago. {He gazes at them — walks 
toward center of room,) 

Jackson {back of table Centre looking around) : We must do 
something with them. 

Foster: Quite so, sir. {Walks towards Rob Right and then to 
Buddy Left,) 

{Bob, Hal and Buddy still rigid and staring, all slowly walk 
toward Foster, who is visibly scared — but doesn't wish to 
show it,) 

Foster {now in front of table Center — to Jackson) : If you 
will excuse me, sir — I have some matters to attend to for 
you, sir — 

{Tries to get out door Right 1, All three walk toward him^ 
tremor business — get close to him — he does funny scared 
business and runs out quickly Right 1 E, By this time all 
three DT patients have worked toward center and mechani-^ 
cally lean against one another — Hal Right — Bob Center^ 
and Buddy Left — glassy stuff toward front,) 

Jackson {after staring at them for a moment registers he is- 
" wise " — goes to hall — and returns with copper fire ex- 
tinguisher about thirty inches high and eight or ten inches in 
diameter, with small rubber hose — comes toward them — 
they still glassily staring front — all this quick — so as not to 
be monotonous — he is about to turn extinguisher upside 
down — which starts the flow — and says) : I'll bring you 
out of it. 

All Three: Fire when you are ready, Gridley. {They all 
laugh,) 

Jackson: I give in — what is it all about. 

{All three relax and Hal sits back of table Center, Bob Left, 



16 THE PINK DEBTEES 

and Buddy Right of it, Jackson intent on explanation, 
walks about,) 

Hal: I hope you choke. 

Jackson: Why? 

Hal: Choking would be less violent than the death you'll be 
entitled to if you continue reading that stuff. See how it 
affected us — Oh, we are on to you! We can tell from the 
" notations " in these books that they were made by 
you and we have been doing a little " Burnsing." 

Jackson {pleasantly) : Well, what about it. 

Bob {vigorously) : That's just what WE want to know, and we 
are going to find out. 

Buddy {disgusted) : It's all off with you. You have kept us 
waiting here for you for a whole week. Three weeks left 
of our vacation and most of the one past we have spent 
looking for you — watchful waiting. 

Hal: We have changed our policy however, now. Nix on 
that watchful stuff after tomorrow morning — you come 
with us — or we go without you and hereafter this " Big 
Four " will be a — a — 

Bob: Triumverate — 

Jackson {earnestly): Fellows — I'm sorry. I really hadn't 
intended to do this. I have no good excuse to offer and 
I may not be able to go with you for a number of days. I 
think you had better " triumverate " in the morning — 
and I'll follow a littler later on — with a good story for 
Hal's paper. 
Buddy : It's a nice time to tell hs this now. 

{Boys are all disgusted and show it by their actions — pick 
up books and slam them down, etc) 

There's only one way to square yourself with us now — 
isn't that so, fellows — 
Hal and Bob: That's absolutely right. 
Jackson: How is that? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 17 

Buddy: You can tell us what has happened to you — what 
has delayed you — and what is all this medical juris- 
prudence stuff — {indicating pile of books). 

Jackson: Well, you just said you knew all about it, that you 
were on to me; that you had read this, had made in- 
quiries and that you were " Burnsing." Now, what do 
you know? 

Hal: All we know is that you have polynuclear leukocytes 
and a diminishing of the mononuclear eusinophiles. 
{He still stumbles over the words.) 

Jackson: No — no — polynuclear {pronouncing it correct- 
ly) leukocytes a " diminishing of the mononuclear." 
You are all mixed up. Doctors have found in some cases 
an increase of the polynuclear leukocytes and a diminish- 
ing of the mononuclear but no leukocytes. In cases of de- 
lirium the eosinophiles were absent. 

Hal: We are all agreed on one thing, aren't we — {speaking 
to Buddy and Bob). 

Buddy and Bob : We sure are. 

Jackson: What is that? 

Hal {rises, goes Right, and Jackson crosses to Center back of 
table) : We hope it chokes you. 

Jackson: Now, children — draw your chairs around here 
and I'll tell you the story of my future wife — I mean life. 

Others {as Jackson sits back of table, Hal is right. Buddy sit- 
ting Right and Bob still sits Left of table Right) : We will do 
anything to find out what has happened to you. 

Jackson : Well — you see — I — I — that is — I have — 
well — she's a beauty — a — well she's just perfect — 
and she wears pink. 

Others: Who wears pink? 

Jackson: She — the one who has delayed your trip to the 
beach. 

Hal: I hope she chokes. 



18 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Jackson: No, you don't. Wait until you see her. You'll 
hope nothing of the kind. 

Bob: Show this *' triumph of hate " to us. 

Jackson: Can't, don't know her myself. 

Buddy {excited — rises — sits again, Hal and Bob register 
displeasure) : Well of all the simple-minded — now we 
know you have polynuclear leukocytes and all the rest 
of it. 

Jackson {trying to calm them) : Wait — don't get excited. 
Now when you do see her, if you blame me for anything I 
have done or may do, to win her — if you blame me — I'll 
do anything for you, you may ask. 

Hal {walking toward Center) : But what has that to do with 
all this delay — all these books — your queer actions — 
everything? 

Jackson: I hardly know myself. I think what I've said 
should be enough. I can't tell you any more just now. I 
want a week's time to myself — and then I'll join you at 
the camp. That should be fair enough. If any one of you 
had an excuse as good as mine, I wouldn't expect to hold 
you to a bargain, such as going on a vacation. Fellows, 
give me a week and overlook the delay. I'm not exactly 
in a position, owing to my not being accustomed to this, 
to give you any further particulars, they or I will follow — 
but honestly she's a wonder — and she wears pink. 

Bob {rises — walks down to Left) : Where have you seen her — 
why do you stay behind — how are you going to meet her 
— who is she — what's her name, etc., et cetera, obiter 
dicta, and res adjudicata. 

Hal: All I can say is — caveat emptor. 

Jackson: I'll promise, honestly, to join you in a week and 
tell you more about it all. I positively refuse to give 
more particulars now. 

Buddy {bangs book on table) : I'll say for one — and that's I 



THE PINK DEBTEES 19 

— that this explanation doesn't explanate — and I'll 
get even with you for the delay — you know Dad's still 
strong with the police, so am I too. For half a cent I'd 
have you arrested and brought into court and tried for 
something — whether it be pink or otherwise. I've got 
enough friends on the force to pull off mostly any kind 
of a stunt I'd attempt, and Bob's father being a judge, 
and having the court and the force with me, you'd stand 
little chance — you might just as well plead guilty on the 
start. 

Jackson : Do your worst. 

Bob: And don't overlook the fact that when it comes to 
getting evidence against you — if the police can't furnish 
enough to convict, I'll have my Burns friends and other 
agencies get all the evidence Buddy may need, and — you 
are certainly railroaded — convicted before you are even 
arrested. 

Jackson: Try it. 

Hal {forcibly — walking back and forth Right and Left) : And 
don't forget that the '' TIMES " considers me one of its 
most reliable men and that they will publish anything I 
submit — and make no inquiries about it. And when once 
the *' Times " starts it — the other papers will follow 
without further ceremony. I'll have it fixed so they will 
get the news, and get it the same as I do. 

Jackson: I don't care for your newspaper or your judges, 
your police or your detectives — and, to use Hal's own 
favorite expression, I hope they choke. 

Hal: Just for that, fellows — let's agree that if Jack doesn't 
start with us in the morning — we'll devote the next 
week to putting up the finest job on him that ever hap- 
pened and at the end of the week if he doesn't arrive — 
we will all return to town, with this fine scheme all worked 
out — and we'll have Mr. Blake Jackson, Esquire, — ar- 



20 THE PINK DEBTEES 

rested for the first and worst thing that we happen to 
think of at the time — and with our friends and our rela- 
tives and our pull — Mr. Jackson's up for life. Are we 
agreed? 

Bob and Buddy {all rise) : Aye — aye — sir, and many of 
them. (They salute.) 

Jackson {Center, Bob Right of him, and Hal Right of Boh, and 
Buddy Left of Jackson) : Now let me say — that even you 
— my friends, can't bluff me like that. There is nothing 
I wouldn't do for adventure. You know that — and I'll 
just dare you to do your very best or worst — whichever 
will bring the most satisfactory results. I'm not one bit 
afraid to let you try it. I won't give in even if I'm found 
guilty of kidnapping or grand larceny of the dearest and 
pinkest girlie in the world. Do you agree? 

Others: Aye — aye — sir, and many happy returns. {They 
salute and start towards door Right 3 E, As they go out) 
Good-bye — 

Jackson {partly out of door): Good-bye, fellows, and good 
luck. 

Others {as they go down the hall): Remember — we'll get 
even if it takes all summer. 

Jackson {returning to table Center, as he walks down. Laughs) : 
I wonder what they will do. {Thinks, shakes head) Oh, well, 
let them do their worst, I know whatever happens will 
be a joke and I needn't think any more about it. {Goes to 
pile of books and picks one up) Now for a httle more re- 
search and I'm through and ready for the experiment. 
{He takes a large chair, places it so that back will be to audi- 
ence. Is deliberate.) Room Left is only partly lighted.) 
{On cue " Takes all summer " — door bell in Duncan apart- 
ment rings — Marie, the maid, comes from Left 1 and goes 
Right 3 where servants or messengers hand her several pack- 
ages containing the nurse outfits. Marie places these pack- 



THE PINK DEBTEES 21 

ages on table Center of room Lefty and starts to Left Jf, but 
does not exit.) 

{Jackson goes to Right 1, exits, returning almost immediately 
with foot rest or other article so that he may enter again just 
at same time Barbara enters Left 1 . Jackson does this while 
business of packages is going on — and Barbara enters just 
as Marie reaches Left 1, so there will be no " empty '' stage,) 
{Barbara enters as Marie opens door Left 1 and starts to 
table Center of her room,) 

Jackson {as Barbara enters) : Gee — she's certainly some 
beautiful lady, — 

{Hums — as he goes toward his table Center " Beautiful 
Lady " from " Pink Lady,'' Continues until Barbara 
reaches table and until line or so is sung or whistled. He gets 
comfortably seated and lights gradually go out in Right room, 
leaving only small light back of and over Jackson's head. 
He has pulled chair out from table and turns it so he sits back 
to stage — just enough light so that audience can see he is 
busy reading. As lights on Right side go out, maid turns 
on more lights in room Left,) 

{Barbara is dressed stylishly in pink, may have changed from 
other costume, though not necessary as she is going out again,) 

Barbaka: Let's see what is here, Marie. {Referring to pack- 
ages on table.) 

Marie: Yes, Miss. 

{Unwraps one package — with nurse dress in it, Barbara 
helps. They take from the package cap, dress and apron, 
such as nurses use in New York city hospitals. This busi- 
ness is going on as Jackson works up his scene. With 
maid 's assistance Barbara puts on dress, apron and cap.) 

Marie: Miss — you look so nice, I wouldn't mind being 
sick and having you for my nurse. 

Barbara: I hope you will not be sick, Marie. We need you 
here. 



22 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{Door bell rings off Left — the maid goes to door up Lefty 
exits as Barbara looks at herself in small glass on writing 
desk. 

Marie {re-entering Right, 3 E) : Dr. Rodgers, miss. 

{Dr. Rodger s enters, following Marie. He is a man of sixty — 
large, good-natured, smooth — rather large face. Face is 
full though he isn't ''fat.'' He laughs loud and long as he 
sees Barbara in her nurse outfit. He comes Left Center. 
Marie exits Left 1.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, by the dogs, if you aren't the prettiest 
nurse I've seen in a long time. All the doctors, young and 
old, at Harvue will lose their heads when they see you. 

Barbara {right center) : I hardly think that. Doctor. If you 
really expect such a catastrophe perhaps I had better 
not go. 

Dr. Rodgers: Oh, I believe we'll let nature take its course. 

Barbara (laughs) : Nature may take anything so long as it 
doesn't interfere with our plans. Tell me, Doctor, do you 
think there is any danger? 

Dr. Rodgers {right) : Danger? 

Barbara: Will any of those doctors or the nurses suspect 
that I'm an inexperienced nurse who has taken a course 
for the sole purpose of getting local color for stories. 

Dr. Rodgers {right) : Suspect? Let them if they wish, but 
there isn't any danger — I'll be about all the time. The 
other nurses will not interfere, and the doctors wouldn't 
unless they became jealous. 

Barbara: Well, I'll treat them all alike and then they will 
have no reason to be jealous. 

Dr. Rodgers: That's the right idea. 

Barbara: You think my plan will work. That I will get the 
local color I desire? 

Dr. Rodgers: Local color? — color? — Well if you don't get 
whole local rainbows with diamonds at the end of them — 



THE PINK DEBTEES 23 

nature won't take its course. There isn't a week passes 
without enough happening at Harvue to make color suflS- 
cient to paint all the novels ever written — and it's good, 
genuine, warranted not to fade color, too. I'll not tell 
you about any one of them. I want you to get the stories 
first handed — follow your own rainbows — 

Barbara: And get my own diamonds, I suppose. 

Dr. Rodgers: That might be easy enough if you were look- 
ing for them. 

Barbara: No, no. Doctor Rodgers. I'm looking for color 
only — not diamonds. 

{Jackson puts down book he is reading and takes up another 
— opens and reads.) 

Dr. Rodgers: You might find a diamond, too — we have al- 
ways on hand the choicest assortment of young doctors 
that you have ever seen — all anxious to get the practice 
that a year or two in a large city hospital will give them — 
some nice fellows too — Miss Duncan. 

Barbara: Now, Doctor, if you are going to tease me about 
physicians I'll refuse to accept your kind offer to permit 
me to remain a few weeks at Harvue — much as I would 
like to go there. 

Dr. Rodgers: You know that I'm only joking. When it 
comes to love — I believe it's a form of disease and like 
many other and sometimes less painful illness — there is 
often and usually but one thing to do — let nature take 
its course. 

{Doctor sits at front Right of table and Barbara is Left. 
She has adjusted her nurse togs to her complete satisfaction. 
After Doctor's last speech, she laughs.) 

Barbara: I, too, was only joking. Do you suppose I'd lose 
an opportunity to wear these? {Indicating nurse togs) 
If I do say so — now that I've entered the profession — I 
believe there is something very fascinating about a 



24 THE PINK DEBTEES 

nurse's cap and gown. {She walks up and down — and to 
Right and Lejt — hut not in front of Doctor,) 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes — it is a by-word in the average hospital 
that a man — if he is single, and sometimes I am told — 
even when he is — so to speak — double — generally 
proposes to his nurse as he convalesces. {He laughs — 
sort of chuckle.) I hope that no one in your section will feel 
that it is necessary to ofifer you his hand and heart. But 
often even in there — men of high standing in the world 
— wake up and — find themselves. 

Barbara: I thought the average alcoholic was a good-for- 
nothing — rather more of a tramp or a degenerate — 
than otherwise. 

Dr. Rodgers {as he rises and walks in front of table a few steps 
and back to his chair) : Only a short time ago a man — one 
of the biggest men — in a business way — from a near-by 
state — came to this city on a business and pleasure trip. 
What happened — no one here ever learned, but he was 
picked up on the street affected with alcoholic trance, 
couldn't tell his name or where he was from. Of course, 
his clothing and card case identified him to our satisfac- 
tion. He remained in that condition for several days — 
but when he finally awakened and found out where he was, 
perhaps there wasn't a sheepish looking capitalist in the 
alcoholic ward at Harvue for a day or two — until he was 
well enough to sink away in a taxi — between two days, 
and that is one of thousands. 
{Jackson puts down book, gets another and reads,) 

Barbara: I suppose incidents like that break the otherwise 
monotonous cases. Pardon me. Doctor — I want mother 
to come in to see me {she touches electric button near door) 
in this gown. 
{Doctor very noticeably is pleased and indicates his interest,) 

Dr. Rodgers: She has become reconciled to your plan, I 
suppose. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 25 

Barbara: Oh yes, I believe she is becoming rather interested 

herself. 

(Marie enters on ** rather interested.^^) 
Barbara: Marie — tell mother to come — that Doctor 

Rodgers is here 

(Doctor interested and pleased again.) 

and I have on my nurse uniform. 

(On " and I have on " Doctor's pleased expression quickly 

vanishes,) 
Marie (without pause) : Yes, Miss. 

(Exits Left 1 E.) 
Dr. Rodgers: Have you decided to commence work — 

(smiles) today? 
Barbara: Yes, Doctor, — I will be there in an hour or two. 

(Mrs, Duncan enters on '* in an hour or two.'' She is rather 

striking in appearance, fifty years of age — slightly gray. 

Very pleasant and not the usual " Grand Dame " style. She 

sees Barbara's gown at once and says:) 
Mrs. Duncan: My how attractive! 

(Sees Doctor R. He goes toward her — and she and Barbara 

come toward Center. She crosses in front of Barbara toward 

Center.) 

How are you. Doctor? I want to thank you for assisting 

Barbara in her new adventure. (She gives him her hand.) 
Dr. Rodgers: Don't thank me, Mrs. Duncan. I want to 

say that the pleasure is all mine. Don't you think Miss 

Barbara's uniform very becoming? 

(Mrs. Duncan comes down and takes Center.) 
Mrs. Duncan: Yes, I like it very much. I hardly blame her 

for wanting to take advantage of an opportunity to 

wear it. Still, I am somewhat worried. Is there danger 

of anyone learning of her going to Harvue to act as a 

nurse. 
Barbara: Now, mamma, you mustn't worry about this. 



«6 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers: Danger? No, indeed. No harm would come 
of it if they did, but since she prefers not to have it 
known I have arranged it so that no one will learn who 
she is. 

Barbara: Be seated. Mother — you, too. Doctor. 

{He goes toward back of table Center — and as he does Mrs. 
Duncan steps Left and sits Left of table Center, saying as 
she does,) 

Mrs. Duncan: I am very glad of that. 

{Doctor has seated himself back of table Center,) 

Barbara: You will excuse me for a moment. {Goes out 
Left 1 E,) 
{Jackson — book business as last,) 

Dr. Rodgers {as Barbara exits) : Mrs. Duncan — you know 
for your sake — I'd do anything for Barbara — by the 
dogs — I — would — anything. 

Mrs. Duncan: Thank you again, Doctor. 

Dr. Rodgers {leaves chair back of table Center and takes one 
Left of it, is quite excited because has opportunity of being 
alone with Mrs, Duncan) : And when it comes to color — 
she's going to have it. Why, Mrs. Duncan, do you know 
that on some of these hot days we have in the alcoholic 
ward — over one hundred patients — new ones in one 
day — and all kinds and styles of them, from common 
plain DT's which the ordinary laborer has to the fancy 
acute hallucinosis or pathological drunkenness — that 
sends the richer patient to us. 

Mrs. Duncan {becoming interested, too) : What is the differ- 
erence and why should one class be affected differently 
from the other? 

Dr. Rodgers {pleased to explain to her): Simple enough: 
The common laborer or the poor man drinks cheap 
whiskey — that makes the common kind of loud noisy 
delirium tremens, while the man who can afford the better 



THE PINK DEBTEES 27 

grades of liquor, gets acute hallucinosis — which, while 
it may be harder on the patient in the end doesn't make 
him so violent. Cheap whiskey is like a cheap automo- 
bile — result — lots of noise — while the better grades 
are like the multiple cylinders — they work quietly. 

Mrs. Duncan {laughs) : I think I understand. I had an idea 
it was only in the name. You doctors sometimes — I am 
informed — charge for the disease a patient may have, 
by its name. People who can afford it have anthrax and 
— pay for it — while the poor man must be satisfied with 
his appendicitis. 
(Jackson — book business,) 

(Barbara enters Left 1 followed by maid or a butler with " tea 
and things;'' maid crosses back of Barbara and to table at 
which Dr, Rodgers and Mrs, Duncan are seated and ar- 
ranges things. There is no pause in conversation. 
Barbara remains at Left of table while maid places 
things,) 

Dr. Rodgers: I'm afraid you, like many other persons, 
blame the doctors for things for which they shouldn't be 
criticised, though goodness knows — I will admit — we 
have a good many practitioners who are supposed to be 
reputable who are really quacks — and we all get blamed 
for what they do. 

Barbara : You think, then. Doctor, that reputation covers a 
multitude of sins? (She takes seat back of and at table,) 

(Maid exits Left 1 E.) 
(Barbara serves tea and things,) 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, that isn't what I mean — but I agree 
with you — it does. 

Barbara: Doctor, I know this experiment of mine is going 
to be very interesting and a great adventure. I only wish 
that a very dear college friend of mine, Ethel Jackson, of 
Chicago, might be with me. We were chums at Smith. 



28 THE PINK DEBTEES 

She was always interested in adventure — seemed to be 
in her blood. 

Dr. Rodgers: It would be pleasant for you — but perhaps 
rather dangerous to have you two on the same case. I 
fear you wouldn't give nature a chance to take its course. 

Barbara (serving) : I know it wouldn't do at all, but some 
way it occurred to me it would be great fun. I can write 
and tell her about it. I know she would enjoy it. She 
has a brother here in New York but I have never met him. 
She says he's afraid of women. His name is Blake 
Jackson. 

(Jackson in his room sits up — takes great interest in book 
he is reading.) 

Dr. Rodgers: He'd be a queer duck if he were afraid of you. 

Barbara: Now, Doctor, I'm not so particularly soothing 
am I.^ 

Dr. Rodgers: Miss Duncan — that will do — you know 
very well what I mean. 

Barbara : Ethel is coming to New York this summer in a 
month or two and I may become acquainted with her 
brother. Then we'll see whether or not he's a " queer 
duck " as you say. 

Mrs. Duncan: But to return to — delirium tremens: Every- 
one is interested nowadays, I presume, in the nation-wide 
movement for prohibition. I am not a crank on the sub- 
ject — far from it! I am merely a business woman — 
and a human being — and from the standpoint of busi- 
ness and humanity — I take the position that too much 
money and too many lives are wasted annually — too 
many young men and women ruined; too many homes 
wrecked and too many children made orphans, all be- 
cause of the use of intoxicants. 

Dr. Rodgers: I prefer business women and human beings to 
prohibitionists. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 29 

Mrs. Duncan: Thanks, Doctor. That's quite a compHment 
I am sure. 

Dr. RoDGERs: Mrs. Duncan — pardon — I know compari- 
sons are odious. I didn't mean — 

Barbara: Oh, Doctor! Tell us about the different kinds of 
" alcoholics," as you say these various cases are termed. 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, as I said to your mother, according to 
Osler-McCrae, delirium tremens is most common among 
those who perform manual labor, while acute hallucinosis 
or acute paranoia, is usually confined to the better edu- 
cated classes. 

Barbara: Are there many of those cases. Doctor? 

Dr. Rodgers: Thousands of new ones each year. If the 
patient dies at home of delirium tremens instead of in a 
ward of a city hospital — his death is reported as result- 
ing from cirrhosis of the liver, arteriosclerosis, or a kindred 
disease. 

Mrs. Duncan: You mean those diseases result from alco- 
holism? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes. One of the most interesting and yet 
terrible forms of alcoholism is alcoholic trance, automa- 
tism or pathological drunkenness. The patient may start 
off on a prolonged debauch and at the end wake up in some 
far-away city, with all occurrences from the time his at- 
tack began, until coming to himself, forgotten. The am- 
nesia is usually complete. 

Barbara: Very strange indeed. 

Mrs. Duncan: I should think patients might get into seri- 
ous trouble while in such a state. 

Dr. Rodgers: That's the most unfortunate part of it all. 
They often do. 

Barbara: It's terrible to contemplate what might occur. 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, that's true. 

Mrs. Duncan: Well, while it is a severe enough punish- 



30 THE PINK DEBTEES 

ment for the person who insists on drinking, in a way such 
a person deserves the punishment. 

Dr. Rodgers {stands Center back of table) : It wouldn't be so 
bad if the user of intoxicants himself were the only one 
to suffer, but his children are the ones who must take the 
burden of pain and with the state or government pay 
the price. 

Barbara: Yes, but Doctor, you overlook the fact that the 
government of the United States gets millions of dollars 
of revenue each year from the sale of intoxicants. 

Mrs. Duncan: And the Government and the states pay 
two million in upkeep and maintenance of hospitals for 
alcoholic insane and feeble-minded for every million the 
Government collects for whiskey revenue. 

Barbara: But why should the Washington Government 
care what it costs the State of New York or Pennsylvania 
to support these feeble-minded and insane alcoholics. 
It's nothing to Washington. It needs the money — and 
we pay the bill. 

Mrs. Duncan: We are glad to have you give us these facts, 
because we know coming from you, they are true. 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, but I came here to close arrangements 
with Miss Duncan for her great adventure. {To Barbara) 
I will expect you shortly. I go directly to the hospital now, 
and when you come, be sure to ask for me. I will have 
'everything arranged and will turn over to you such pa- 
tients as seem to me to be interesting ones — and I will 
:see that such treatment as you give them will be proper 
and further that you will be considered one of the best 
nurses — simply not used to alcoholics — if any one sus- 
pects you are not. 

Barbara: Thank you. Doctor. 

Dr. Rodgers {as he starts up Left to exit) : The pleasure is all 
mine. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 31 

{Marie gets Doctor's hat and stick and hands them to him — 
opens door,) 

Mrs. Duncan {offering Dr. Rodgers hand) : Good bye. 
Doctor. I will turn my little girl over to you. See that 
she is well eared for. 

Dr. Rodgers {as he exits) : I certainly shall. But don't fear, 
if in doubt, she must do as all good doctors in like cir- 
cumstances: Let nature take its course. Good bye. 
{Jackson arises with book in hand — it is Vol, 11 Strumpell 
— Text Book of Medicine, Light gradually increases on his 
side of stage — first on him, then on surrounding objects for 
thirty to forty -five seconds until all on,) 

Barbara: Come, mother — I want you to see everything I 
have arranged to take with me. 

Mrs. Duncan {as they go toward Left and exit Left IE — light 
following them and gradually going out): Very well. The 
Doctor is quite excited about it isn't he? I almost wish 
I could go with you. 

Barbara: Come any time you wish, mother. {They exit,) 

Jackson: Foster, come here. 

Foster {enters Left 1 E) : Yes, sir. 

Jackson: I want you to stay here while I try a few stunts. 

Foster: Yes, sir, quite so, sir. 

Jackson {lights now all on. Gets well down to front, book open 
and in hand — is hilarious. Dances around to the tune of 
" Beautiful Lady ''from " Pink Lady " — which he whistles 
as he goes) : Well, this is certainly great — {looks in book,) 
{Goes to table, puts book down leaving it opened and face 
down so he can get it quickly later on — leaves it open at 
page 665,) 

I think I know all about it now myself. I could write 
books on the subject and any doctor that knows more 
about delirium tremens, acute hallucinosis, paranoia, 
pathological drunkenness or alcoholic trance than I do. 



32 THE PINK DEBTEES 

well I don't think there are any. All I need is experience 

— a little practice, — Now for a lesson: I must practice 
on myself. First the tremor. 

{Does it — hands, limbs, tongue, etc, attempts to walk — to 

talk, etc) 

Not enough glassy stare — 

(He stares — gradually — lots of time — looking toward 

floor where he sees imaginary objects,) 

Ha! I knew it — spiders — Ha — lizards — ha — ha — 

alligators and those — snakes — 

{Foster scared — wonders what is the matter with Jackson,) 

{He gradually stealthily draws away Right and Left across 

stage — not going too far apart Center of stage. After he 

works himself up to high pitch — suddenly comes out of it 

and laughs,) 

{Foster relieved when Jackson relaxes,) 

Now that's really the hardest. The easiest, perhaps, is 

the trance part. All I have to do is to forget what I 

have done — after the worst is over — forget — the easiest 

thing of all — unless it might be to forgot something — 

in pink — 

{May whistle " Beautiful Lady " again,) 

Now for a little acute hallucinosis. That's easy, too. 

Only necessary to be a good listener. 

{Listens — holds head sideways — turns it one way — then 

another — stare business all through this, laughs,) 

Reminds me of a dog listening — but that's the way they 

do it in acute hallucinosis. 

{Goes back into it again — mutters inaudibly — tremor 

— tongue out, etc) 

{Listens near books — opens books — listens in them — 

also picks up other objects — listens under or near them — 

under table, etc) 

{Then follow here with other forms,) 

How is that, Foster, all right? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 33 

Foster: Yes, sir, I'm sure it is, sir. 

Jackson {goes to table Center — picks up book — and with a 
satisfied look) : Well, here's the best of it all. It must be 
true, or Dr. Strumpell wouldn't say so. Listen to this: 
(Quoting from Strumpell Vol, 11, page 665:) 
" In the beginning of the disease and in all cases of de- 
lirium and excitement, the first requisite is rest in bed. 
If the patient be restless and unwilling to stay in bed he 
may sometimes be appeased and kept quieter by the per- 
suasion of the nurses, one or more of whom should be in 
constant attendance." {End of quotation.) Oh, doctor, 
I could hug you and kiss your left cheek for this. {Hugs 
and kisses the book) Would I be restless and unwilling to 
stay in bed — would I? {Turns over to page 666 in Strum- 
pell) Doctor, if you were only here I'd kiss your right 
cheek, too. Listen to this: " After the acute stage of the 
disease is past, the patient may be allowed gradually to 
get about. In this stage, residence in the country where 
he can be isolated from all visitors, WITH COMPETENT 
NURSES, abundance of fresh air, and good food are the 
essentials." {End of quotation,) And such essentials! If 
the nurse only wore pink. Oh — oh — oh — 
{To Foster directly) Well, I'm off, may be gone a week or 
month, can't say exactly — if anyone asks say I'm away 
on my vacation. 

Foster: Yes, sir. 

Jackson: You may go, Foster. 

Foster: Yes, sir. {Exits Right 1 E,) 

{Barbara and Mrs, Duncan enter Left 1 E as light gradually 
fills room Left, Barbara is ready to exit — has on suit and 
pink fiower — as always,) 

{Jackson prolongs business — piling up books, etc) 
{Marie enters and exits Left 3 E carrying suit cases and 
bundles. Not too many — just about what a nurse might 



34 THE PINK DEBTEES 

take in addition, perhaps, to a trunk which it is assumed has 

been sent on.) 
Barbara : I'm all ready for the great adventure — and if 1 

succeed I promise you, mother — no other — no such 

risky one as this again. 

{They are just about table, slightly Left,) 
Jackson: I'm all ready for the great adventure — and if I 

succeed I promise you — no other — no such risky one 

as this again. 

{Goes toward door up Right slightly, not too far, however. 

Be careful so audience can see and get all of this,) 
Barbara {kisses mother) : Good-bye, mother. 
Mrs. Duncan: Good-bye, girlie — now be careful. 
Barbara: Yes, mother, don't worry. Good-bye. 

{Mrs, Duncan goes out Left 1 — to make Jackson and Bar- 
bara's exit more effective — pause — 
Jackson {at the same time — is pantomiming good-bye to his 

apartments — kisses hand to books — kisses the Strumpell 

book as Barbara kisses mother): Good bye, old friends, 

don't worry. 

{Both start for door and exit at same time — all business to 

be timed as carefully as possible to work out — picture like 

— at the same time as they exit,) 
Barbara and Jackson {together): Now for the great ad- 
venture. 

{He goes to Right 3 E — exits. She goes to Left 3 E — exits. 

Lights have followed them — and go out as they exit. Then 

curtain on dark stage,) 

CURTAIN 



ACT II 



o 

c 






STREET BACKING 
Window 



ALSO A FEW TREE5 - 
Window 



Chair 



TABLE 



Chair 























mD A" 




BED 5" 




BED C 




i 

BEDD 




BED "E ■ 




Table. 




Table 




Tabic. 




Table 




Tabic 




Chair 




Chair 




Chair 




Chair 




Chair 




at 




at 




at 




at 




at 




H^acl 




Head 




Head 




fiead 




H^ad 




























ACT II 

A ward in Harvue City Hospital, New York City. This is a special ward 
which has just been called into service as a supplemental D. T. ward because 
of crowded condition of other D. T. wards and for reasons mentioned in 
dialogue. 

Near Back well Up Stage are five hospital beds and near R head of each 
is small table and chair. 

Table Down Left of Center with chair on either side. 

Through windows at back may be seen buildings across street. These are 
tenement or business buildings, rather old and not more than three to five 
stories high, mostly of red brick. A few trees also near windows between 
hospital building and side-walk. These are not large. At R2 is entrance to 
porch and here may be seen patients in convalescent stage "sunning" 
themselves. 

Superintendent's oflSce LIE and general entrance L3E. 

Usual hospital furniture, etc., about. Typical New York City hospital. 

(At rise two nurses are arranging bed clothing as if preparing 
to take in more patients. They are apparently in a hurry. 
Other beds are all " made up'' 

Flora Andrews {arranging bed clothing on bed B) : I believe 
I have never seen a time when there were so many alco- 
hoHc patients in this city, and I have been in service sev- 
eral years. 

Amy Burt {working at bed " D " — nurses facing each other) : 
It is this hot weather that effects more than the usual 
number, I presume. Think of it — using this ward ad- 
joining Dr. Rodgers' office! He has always retained this 
room for special cases in which he was particularly in- 
terested. 

Flora: It is certainly unusual. How many cases of alco- 
holics have we now? 

Amy {spreading the clothing) : I am not certain. I think we 
have about four hundred all told — a few more or a few 



38 THE PINK DEBTEES 

less — and they are coming in at the rate of about five 

an hour. 
Flora {still working at bed) : At that rate we will have these 

beds filled in a very short time. 
Amy: I wish our vacation wasn't over. Just think, having to 

come back here and go to work during this hot weather. 
Flora: Well, any way, I'm glad we met Mr. Davis and Mr. 

Phelps and Mr. Stair even if it was the last day of our 

vacation. 
Amy {still busy same) : Wasn't it peculiar how interested they 

seemed when they learned that we were detailed on DT 

work? 
Flora {same business) : I hope they keep their agreement to 

come here soon. We will obtain permission to show them 

some alcoholic cases. 
Amy: Mr. Davis is on the " Times " isn't he? I have heard 

of him before. 
Flora : Yes — perhaps he is interested so that he may get 

some feature stuflE for his paper. Didn't he say that under 

certain conditions they might come back to town 

Saturday? 
Amy: That's the way I understood it. {Pauses — thinks) 

This is Tuesday — they may be out here Saturday. 
Flora: I do hope they come. 
Amy: Have you had time since your return to read about the 

White murder mystery? 
Flora: No, just some headlines. Tell me about it. 
Amy : The police are completely mystified. Probably another 

case where they will never apprehend the murderer. 
Flora: Yes, a lot of them get away. What was particularly 

strange about this case? 
Amy: A woman named White living over near Seventh and 

One Hundred and Thirty-fifth was found dead yesterday 

morning. No one seems to have been near or to have 



THE PINK DEBTEES 39 

heard a noise at the time the crime was perpetrated, and no 
one particularly suspicious was seen to enter or leave the 
apartments in which the Whites live. At least no one has 
been found so far who can testify to that effect. Neither 
is there anything to indicate a motive for the crime, which 
was a most brutal and horrible one. Mrs. White had no 
enemies so far as can be learned, was peaceable and a good 
woman. Her husband was devoted to her and their three 
small children. It was a happy family until yesterday. 
She was a robust and healthy woman and fought very 
hard for her life. 

Flora: How do they know that? 

Amy: The house showed evidence of a hard fight. Chairs 
and tables were thrown about and knocked over. Orna- 
ments and pictures torn from the walls. The murderer 
evidently used an ugly knife taken from a kitchen table. 
The authorities say that it was out of the ordinary, — so 
fiendishly did the murderer complete his crime ! 

Flora: But Mr. White and the children — where were they.^^ 

Amy: Mr. White had gone to work and the children seem to 
have been asleep in a room in the apartment some dis- 
tance from that in which the murder was committed. A 
sad but pitiable thing was the fact that the children, when 
they became hungry, ran out to find their mother. 

Flora {still working at bed — pausing occasionally to talk) : 
Oh! 

Amy: The eldest, a boy, ran out and when he returned 
with a policeman the two babies were huddled up close to 
their mother's breast — and were calling — *' Mama " 
and the older one — saying at intervals "wake up, mud- 
die," **wake up, muddie," it was sad indeed; even the 
policeman accustomed to such things was forced to 
tears. 

Flora: Electrocution would be too good for the man who 



40 THE PINK DEBTEES 

committed that crime. There should be no extenuating 
circumstances and no excuse for him to offer. No court 
or jury will ever let him get away, if he can only be 
found. 

Amy: Yes, he should be drawn and quartered. I forgot to 
mention that there was apparently one clue which may 
and may not be material — Mrs. White had, clutched in 
her hand, a small piece of cloth that was of a peculiar pat- 
tern and might have been a piece of a coat or of the cloth- 
ing of the man who committed the crime. 

Flora: Yes, but that man could be in Chicago — or Mon- 
treal before now and it is likely that the rest of that gar- 
ment will never be located. 

Amy: That may be so. On the other hand, it may not after 
all be a clue, besides the murderer — as soon as he had an 
opportunity, no doubt, destroyed the remainder of the 
garment, if the piece was really torn from his clothing. 

Flora: Or he may have sold it to a junk peddler or second- 
hand dealer and those fellows wouldn't assist the authori- 
ties even if they could. 

Amy (by this time they have beds about completed) : I can only 
hope and pray that the authorities will capture this mur- 
derer. If they should find him with the coat or garment 
that the piece of goods was torn from — he might as well 
plead guilty — and prepare for the electric chair. 

Flora: He'll probably get some noted criminal lawyer to de- 
fend him and will no doubt be found not guilty. 

Amy : You know there isn't any lawyer could fool a court or 
jury to such an extent, and no excuse would be sufficient 
to warrant an acquittal. 

Flora: Yes, I know that there could be no grounds for giv- 
ing freedom to a man who would commit such a crime. 

Amy: Absolutely none. 

Dr. Rodgers {at " absolutely none " comes on from Left IE — 



THE PINK DEBTEES 41 

showing in Barbara) : Our next patients will have to come 

in here. {Indicating room,) 

{He says this to Barbara. Then to Barbara,too) Miss Dunn^ 

this is Miss Andrews. {To Flora and looking at Amy) 

and this is Miss Burt. 

{Nurses — simply nod as they are introduced — and smile,) 

{Doctor continuing and addressing Amy and Flora) Will 

you two please report to Dr. Mcintosh for further duty? 

{Note Miss Duncan will be called Miss Dunn until end 
of ACT 11.) 

Amy and Flora {as they leave going out Left 3 E) : Very well. 
Doctor. 

Dr. RoDGERs: Miss Dunn — you see I remember to call 
you Dunn as we planned — and if I should forget and 
say Miss Duncan — I'll say Miss Dunn — can you do 
this or that or whatever the case may be. 

Barbara {Left of Doctor Right) : That is very good, Doctor. 

Doctor: You see that I have arranged this small ward. I 
felt that it would be better, but first wanted you to have 
two or three days' experience in the general. DT wards. 
I'll arrange now to have what may appear to me to be 
interesting cases sent in here. With these five beds, it 
should be reasonably quiet in this ward and I have asked 
Dr. Mcintosh to send Miss Andrews and Miss Burt to 
this room with such cases as we decide to place here. 

Barbara: But, Doctor, isn't it unusual to have three nurses 
in one small ward like this? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, but no questions are asked as to why I 
do anything. — I arranged for the two other nurses so 
that you would not have to over-exert yourself — as you 
might do — under the circumstances. 

Barbara: Here as in the other ward, I presume that you ex- 
pect me to take temperatures and the pulse and assist 
generally. 



42 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers {they have been standing near center of stage) : 

Yes, I trust some interesting ones will appear today. I 

have a presentiment they will. 
Barbara: Let us hope so. Should I need you at any time, I 

presume I am at liberty to call you from your office. 
Dr. Rodgers: Certainly. But above all remember {he 

shakes finger at her and laughs) let nature take its course. 

{There is a noise in the hallway Left 3 E.) 
Barbara: I believe we are about to receive a patient now. 
Dr. Rodgers {as noise increases — and as they both start 

up Left 3) : Yes, I think so. 
Dr. McIntosh ( enters ahead of orderlies — he is a man of 

thirty-five — six feet tall, and rather slim. Has a pleasant 

air about him) : Here we are. Just put Mr. Jinks in here 

— {Indicating bed " A'') 

{Jinks is on litter or stretcher, sheet over him, etc. Has on 

night gown.) 

{Orderlies go with Jinks to bed " J. " — and start to lift 

him — Flora Andrews enters — Left 3 E and toward bed 

" A.n 
Jinks: Whoa — there, Jumbo. {Ducks as if to get away from 

elephant.) 

{Note: Mr. Jinks is an employee of the Zoo — and has what 

is known as animal or menagerie delirium. Having been in 

charge of various animals — he is at liberty to fear or abuse 

any that may happen to occur to him.) 

Look out, there, Mr. White Coat — {referring to orderlie) 

That giraffe '11 eat you up. 
Dr. McIntosh: Come, boys — lift him in. 

{Dr. Rodgers enters.) 

{Orderly attempts to place Jinks in bed. Jinks struggles 

and gets on the fioor — on his feet. — Dr. Rodgers has 

entered and approaches Jinks who, on seeing Dr. Rodgers^ 

says: 



THE PINK DEBTEES 43 

Jinks: Zhere's Zhumbo — {looking at Doctor) shave me — 
shave me — 

(Crouches down and orderlies take him and place him in 
bed. He covers his head and for a second is quiet. Then 
slowly pulls sheet down — and sees Dr. Mcintosh,) 
Well, well — followed me here too, ole giraflfy — Zhumbo 
and Zhirafe — {He says as he looks from Dr, Rodgers to 
Dr, Mcintosh.) 
{They maintain their dignity.) 

Dr. McIntosh {to orderlies) : Boys — I think we had better 
strap him in. 
{Orderlies start to do as directed.) 

Jinks {apparently realizing what is meant) : No — no — 

Dr. McIntosh: Well, then be quiet. {He says this in a quiet 
easy way so as to soothe Jinks.) 

Jinks : Yes — yes — 

Dr. McIntosh {to nearest orderly — softly — ) : I think we 
will be safe in leaving him. {Then to Miss Andrews) Miss 
Andrews, you will pay close attention to this patient and 
do not hesitate to call the orderlies if he is too noisy or if 
he attempts to get up. 

{He says this so Jinks will '' get^^ it as well as to instruct 
the nurse.) 

Flora: Very well. Doctor. 

{Jinks stares at them — is evidently cowed — eyes bulge and 
he trembles noticeably, sits up a trifle — or rather leans 
up on his elbow and surveys the people near him. Seems to 
be satisfied that they mean business and he falls — almost 
collapses — on the bed. They all watch him a few seconds. 
He remains quiet.) 

Dr. McIntosh {to orderlies) : Come. {He starts — they fol- 
low. All go around lower side of bed and toward Left 3E.) 
{Jinks, as Dr. Mcintosh goes, raises on elbows again and 
watches him — slight pause for business by Jinks as 



44 THE PINK DEBTEES 

doctor and orderlies exit. Flora looks at Jinks, Dr, Rodgers 
or Barbara do not notice him.) 

{Flora busies herself near bed '' J. " and watches Jinks quite 
closely.) 
Dr. Rodgers: I am receiving a report on these cases as they 
come in, with their names and history of cases in so far 
as I am able to obtain them. In many instances where 
men are picked up on the street it is impossible to get the 
information desired and we then have to do the best we 
can — frequently never knowing the patient's real name 

— and as frequently having to christen him ourselves. 
Barbara: From what you told us Saturday and from my 

study of the subject I would say that Mr. Jinks has ani- 
mal or menagerie delirium. Am I correct? 
Dr. Rodgers: Yes. Let us be seated for the present. This 
man's name is William Jinks of the Horse Marines — no 

— no not Horse Marines — I mean of the Zoo. He is a 
city employee at Central Park. 

Barbara: Tried to drown his sorrow in drink, and even now 
he thinks his animal friends are with him. 

Dr. Rodgers (laughing): You mean Dr. " Mc." and me? 

Barbara (laughs) : No — no — Doctor. But it amuses me 
to think that no matter how these men plan to forget 
their troubles — they are worse w hen they drink than 
otherwise. Isn't it strange that they keep at it. 

Dr. Rodgers: Simple enough. Like a man-eating lion that 
tastes blood, — harder to resist each time. 

Barbara: This case will no doubt prove interesting. How 
long will he act like he did just now? 

Dr. Rodgers {as they arise) : Perhaps a week or ten days. 
More likely but a few days. When he can once get a good 
sleep he will no doubt recover, temporarily at least, but 
for the next few days he will have to be watched quite 
carefully. Miss Andrews will know what to do. The 



THE PIN^ DEBTEES 46 

burden of the case — as lawyers say — is on her. You — 
well, you — simply — let nature take its course. 

Barbara: I hope I may, Doctor. 

Dr. Rodgers {as he exits Left 1 E) : I'll come in as often as 
I can spare the time. 

{Barbara turns toward Right, Flora, who has been near door 
leading to porch, comes to bed, and Barbara also walks toward 
it. Nothing is said.) 

{Jinks stares at them again. Eyes glassy — he trembles — 
and appears wild but doesn't attempt to get out of bed or up — 
except to work himself up on his elbows. Stares from Bar- 
bara to Flora and back.) 

Jinks (laughs) : Ha, ha! Gazelles — beautiful gazelles — {His 
talk is not clear — but broken) \ Oh — So many thou- 
sands of them. {He sinks back again.) 

Barbara: Shall we send for the orderlies? 

Flora: No. When they have pleasant hallucinations — 
there isn't much danger. We dislike to strap them in or 
use straight jackets unless absolutely necessary. In most 
cases, as you noticed in the other wards, patients are 
strapped as soon as they get violent, and often they die. 

Barbara: Yes, I know. Their heart muscles, being naturally 
weak, are easily affected and death frequently results — 
as much from exertion and desire to get out of the straight 
jackets as because of their sickness. Don't you think this 
is so? 

Flora: Yes, but in city hospitals I find that the doctors use 
restraint whenever most convenient. They believe per- 
haps that when a patient so affected, dies, the community 
is better off for it. 

Barbara: Perhaps they are right. It is sad, isn't it? And 
yet — the poor wife and children of these alcoholics — 
who become so violent that they have to be tied in bed — 
perhaps they, too, are fortunate if — if death occurs. 



46 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Flora {noise in the hall Left again) : Here comes another. I 
wonder what form he'll have them in? 
{Two orderlies enter with Jackson on stretcher. They come 
Center with him.) 

Barbara: Place him in this bed. {Indicating bed *' C") 
{Jackson is wild-eyed and nervous, trembles — tongue out 
some of the time. It trembles, too. Hands tremble. This 
as he comes in and as orderlies prepare to put him in bed. 
During this he stares about room — glares from orderlies to 
nurses — always ending by looking at Barbara, He is 
shaved, but his hands and face are badly scratched — scratches 
appear to be two or three days old. As they place him in bed 
he writhes and turns and tries to get away — not too much 
— simply so effort shown. Orderlies hold him fast and shove 
him down on bed. Hold him for second or two.) 

Barbara {Who has followed orderly to Left of bed " A^ a few 
feet from Jackson) : There, there now, you must be quiet. 
We'll not let them hurt you. 

Jackson {looks at her — is so pleased almost forgets to continue 
his faking. Then suddenly remembering) : Quiet — quiet? 
How can I — quiet — got take this pink airship — Wash- 
ington — government want it — pink army — navy. 
Lemme go — {Attempts to get up again.) 
{Orderlies taking cue from treatment followed by Barbara^ 
press him back slightly.) 

{He starts again — tremor business — daze — tries to get 
up again.) 

Barbara {quietly): Don't try to do that — we'll have to 
fasten you in. 

Jackson: Sail right — fasten. Won't fall out — killed — 
fasten me on pink pottamus back — not used riding pot- 
tamus — see rolling off. {He falls back, rolls slightly over.) 

Jinks {at " Pottamus " — gets up on elbows again, looks 
around) : — Hippotamus — hippotamus — hippotamus — 



THE PINK DEBTEES 47 

— look at them — look at them — droves and herds of 

them — crushing me — don't let them back into me — 

don't let them stampede — 

{He is not particularly wild or dangerous looking, but tries 

to crouch and get away from hippos.) 

{Flora, who has been near him and still watching Jackson 

during above, comes to Jinks and in pantomime tries to soothe 

him,) 
Barbara {to Jackson) : You are all right. We won't let any- 
thing happen to you. 
Jackson: Good for you. You pink, too. — 
Barbara {looks at him — wonders. Hardly knows whether to 

be amused or annoyed. — To orderlies) : Will Dr. Mcintosh 

be here shortly? 
Louie {one of the orderlies — man of 45) : He has some other 

patients who came in and he said he would soon send in 

charts for these two you have here by Miss Burt. 
Barbara {to orderly) : Is that all? 
Louie: One of us is to remain just outside of the door, and 

will be at your service in case of need. 

{Amy enters Left 3 E with charts and trays with " hypos.''), 
Barbara: Very well. 

{Orderlies leave — Left 3 E together. They cross above Amy 

to door.) 
Amy {comes to Barbara who has remained near bed " C," and 

as she enters and before pause says) : Here are the charts,. 

Miss Dunn, you are to have patient ** C." We have been 

unable to ascertain his name. {Hands her chart.) And 

Miss Andrews, this is for Jinks: hypodermics for both. 

{Hands each necessary hypodermic paraphernalia on small 

tray.) 
Jackson {sits up apparently listening — puts head from one 

side to other — as if first trying to hear with one ear and then 

the other — keeps that up awhile — then picks up pillow — 



48 THE PINK DEBTEES 

and listens as if noises were coming from under there — 
trembles and apparently is scared, but does not attempt to get 
up — and he vrill be quiet for obvious reasons until later 
on — crouches back, but as soon as he gets his head down, 
pulls it up again and once more looks under pillow and out 
over sides of bed. Very restless and uneasy) : No — no — 
I'm not here — go away — let me alone. 
(Dr. Rodgers enters from Left 1 E,) 

(Flora is busy giving Jinks hypodermic — in arm. She is 
assisted by Amy who has gone to Left side of bed " J. " — 
Flora on Right side. Jinks is scared but submits because 
he is scared and afraid to resist.) 
{At same time Dr. Rodgers speaks to Barbara.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, Miss Dunn, this — {looking at bed " C") 
promises to be an interesting case. This patient, whose 
name we cannot ascertain — was found in the street, run- 
ning away from voices. He has what is known as acute 
hallucinosis — which is sometimes called acute alcoholic 
hallucinosis, or acute persecutory insanity. This case is 
rather a queer one in that the patient also, as is sometimes 
the case with this form of the disease, has optic hallucina- 
tions. He is in quite bad shape. For the present he is so 
weak and tired that there is little fear of his being danger- 
ous, I think, but he will have to be watched closely. 
Have you given him any treatment? 

Barbara: Not yet, but the hypodermic is ready. 

-Dr. Rodgers: Yes, these cases I prefer treating in this way. 
{Dr. Rodgers is Left of Barbara and as they talk they go up 
to bed " C," Barbara on Right — all the way to head of bed.) 
^Jackson has been watching them — as is natural with pa- 
tients suffering with acute hallucinosis, thinks they are talk- 
ing about him — is afraid — listening attitude strong. As 
they go to him he sinks in bed.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Just a moment here. {Addressing Jackson.) 
{Jackson calms down and remains still.) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 49 

(Barbara takes left hand in hers to take temperature.) 
(Jackson very much pleased in a peculiar way so as not to 
show his actual state.) 

Barbara (looking at wrist watch, Jackson naturally excited 
and pulse increases merely from fact Barbara has hold of his 
hand) : Pulse very rapid, Doctor. 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, of course. 

Barbara (hands Dr. Rodgers chart and tries to put thermome- 
ter in Jackson s mouth. He spits it out, very scared, but 
as Barbara says) : — Now this isn't going to hurt you. 
Just be quiet. — (Jackson permits her to take temperature.) 

Barbara (to Dr. Rodgers) : Very Httle temperature, Doctor. 
(He hands her back chart and she makes notation. 

Dr. Rodgers: Now for the hypodermic. (He assists Barbara 
in the follovnng.) 

(Barbara attempts to draw up right sleeve of Jackson's gown. 
He pulls away — but gradually accedes and she presses 
syringe in arm and slowly forces in contents.) 
(Amy and Flora at bed "A'' going through the same perform- 
ance and complete the work about the same time.) 
(Jackson very badly scared — listens.) 
(Dr. Rodgers takes hold of him and puts him down in bed.) 
(Barbara makes note on chart of the time of hypodermic.) 

Jackson (is propped up enough so audience can see face — all 
characters in bed will be so arranged. 

Jackson: Take them away — take them away — pink alli- 
gators — pink lizards — creeping on me — please, I beg 
of you — please take them away — pink turtles — I'm 
afraid — hear them — hear them — singing — singing — 
shouting at me — kill them — kill them — 
(He is scared and crouches back in bed.) 
(This is "nature faking'' as such patients might not pay any 
attention to each other.) 

Jinks: No alligators, no lizards, no turtles — what's mat- 



50 THE PINK DEBTEES 

ter with you — only elephants, camels and gazelles — 
backing into me — crowding me — running over me. 
{He crouches down — glares, eyes bulge — and winds up by 
backing into bed with bach as far as he can as if they were 
crowding him. Holds out hands, palms out, as if to keep 
animals away. Keeps this position for second or two. Others 
look at him.) 

Jackson: Make them stop. Keep them quiet. Too much 
noise. Can't sleep, they wake me up. Put them all out. 
Chase them away. {Indicating noises from pillows, from 
under bed clothing, etc.) 

Dr. Rodgers: I am sure that these cases will prove of great 
interest to you. In a short time, no doubt, there will be 
developments worth while. Hello — here's someone else 
coming. By the dogs, nature is taking its course today. 
{By this time orderlies come in — Louie and other one.) 
{They come just inside the door and stop. John Hall with 
paranoia is brought in.) 
{Dr. Mcintosh comes immediately after they stop.) 

Dr. McIntosh : I think we will place him here — for Miss 
Burt. {Indicates bed *' £." Hands chart to Amy, who has 
come to him from Left on his entrance.) 
{Louie and another orderly place him in bed " JB.") 

Dr. McIntosh {to Miss Burt) : I believe it will not be neces- 
sary to restrain this patient for the present. The history 
of his case indicates that he is in the first stage of a very 
serious attack of paranoia, Louie. {To Louie) I'm depend- 
ing on you to be on guard every minute until six o'clock, 
{He goes to door Left 3) and — 

Louie: Yes, Doctor. {Dr. Mcintosh exits.) 

{Louie and orderly take up stretcher and exit same.) 
{No pause here.) 

{Amy takes her place near head of bed '* £.") 
{Flora up Right near bed " A.'') 



THE PINK DEBTEES 51 

{Dr, Rodgers and Barbara have taken Center as cross is 
made.) {Orderlies exit,} 

{Other nurses busy with patients and other work.) 

Dr. Rodgers {to Barbara) : We have had this patient here for 
some time. He came here with a very serious attack of 
dehrium tremens. We could do but Uttle for him. He 
sank directly into this paranoic state. He will be danger- 
ous in a week or so. We will then be forced to restrain 
him, but the change from his present state in which you 
will see that he believes he is being persecuted until his 
next stage, where he defends himself from imaginary at- 
tacks, will be slow and gradual. His last and dangerous 
state will come when he is bold enough to attack his sup- 
posed persecutors. Then — or just before then — he will 
have to be restrained or isolated. After he wears himself 
out — the end will come. There is but one chance in a 
thousand that he may recover. 

Barbara: How long has he been here? 

Dr. Rodgers: About three weeks. I had him taken here 
today because I wanted you to have a chance to study 
him. We may remove him within three or four days — 
before he becomes dangerous. 

Barbara: I did not know paranoia ever resulted from de- 
lirium tremens. 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, quite frequently. Sometimes it devel- 
ops primarily — from alcohol, but ordinarily not. How- 
ever, the majority of cases may safely be said not to have 
any connection with alcoholics. 

Barbara: What treatment does this patient receive? 

Dr. Rodgers: As I said, there is no hope for this man. In 
some of the milder cases the patient can be somewhat in- 
fluenced by careful training. In the more pronounced 
cases treatment is of no avail. 

Hall {who up to this time has been crouched back in his bed 



52 THE PINK DEBTEES 

trembling and frightened takes notices of people — looks 
about him from Flora and Amy and from Jinks and Jack- 
son to Dr. Rodgers and Barbara, shivers and shakes like 
a cold dog that has been whipped — gradually, however, 
through this scene and until curtain goes down for short 
pause, he is seen to pick up a little more courage — and 
when curtain goes up on last half of this act he has almost 
reached the stage where he is ready to defend himself, although 
he will do this without being dangerous. As he looks at Dr. 
Rodgers and Barbara they move toward him, Barbara going 
near foot of bed *' D " and Dr. Rodgers going to head of bed 
" E " to Left of it) : Ha — ha — there you are, Wilhelm 

— ha — and where is Little WiUie and the other boys. I 
knew you'd come — didn't want me to end the war, eh? 
(As Doctor gets closer to him, appealing to Barbara) You — 
won't let them take me away, will you — you won't let 
them put me in prison and shoot me will you? Hide me! 

Barbara: You will be perfectly safe here. I will not let 

them touch you. 
Hall: These men — these rulers — have been following me 

around — have had the police on my tracks watching me 

— plotting against me — they want this war — they did it 

— I didn't. 

Barbara (has gone nearer to him and she and Amy try to con- 
ceal him) : We'll send them away. We'll help you. 

Amy: We are here to save you from all harm. Just do as we 
tell you. Be quiet. 

Hall {as he becomes less frightened) : You'll help me — you'll 
keep them and their spies from me. 

Barbara: Yes, yes, try to be quiet, or we cannot assist 
you. 

Hall: All right. 

(He stops talking, but attitude of listening as if trying to 
hear what others about room are saying. Watches them all 



THE PINK DEBTEES 53 

closely — mumbles or rather moves his lips as if talking and 
answering questions put to him,) 

{During this time Jackson is going through hallucinations 
rather mildly so as not to draw too much attention from 
Hall. He — his hallucinations being largely of voices, 
etc, — assumes attitude of listening and looking for voices 
about bed and room as if coming to him from all sorts of im- 
possible places — the pillows and bed clothing being the most 
natural under the circumstances. Jinks, too, watches others 
carefully and occasionally crouches away from imaginary 
animals of all kinds — elephants and camels being his 
favorites,) 
Jackson {screams) : Take them away — take them away — 

pink polar bears! Help me — help me! 
Barbara {as he screams — goes to him) : Didn't I tell you to 

be quiet? — You won't be harmed? 
Jackson: D' you say that — d' you? 
Barbara: Yes. 

Jackson {seems almost rational for a time during this dia- 
logue, becomes soon distracted and gazes into space at sup- 
posed bears — frightened) : Hear them — hear them — 
they are singing to me — singing pink lady — beautiful 
lady — {He gradually becomes more and more delirious — 
talks rapidly and tries to evade animals) : I tell you — after 
me — see 'em — see — hurt — kill me — take away. 
Dr. Rodgers {has gone to Barbara near Jackson) : From the 
form of this man's attack — he must have been drinking 
a mixture of Scotch, Bourbon, nigger and squirrel whiskey. 
His is the most mixed attack I have ever known. Very- 
interesting — very interesting. We must let nature take 
its course! By the dogs, this is certainly great for you! 
Barbara: And yet isn't it all terrible? 
Dr. Rodgers: Terrible? Yes — terribly mild so far. You 
haven't seen any real wild ones up here like in the other 



54 THE PINK DEBTEES 

wards. I wanted you to get away from them for the 

present. 

(Orderlies come with another man in the same manner as 

before.) 

Ah, who have we here? 

Louie: Dr. Mcintosh is very busy — sent chart with us. 
This man's name is Catt. 

Dr. Rodgers {takes chart — reads) : James Pole Catt. {Con- 
tinues to read history of case,) 

Louie : Where will we locate this Pole — I mean where will 
we place this Catt. 

Dr. Rodgers: Louie! 

Louie: Couldn't help it, Doctor — {Restrains laugh,) 

Flora: Put him over here. {Indicating bed '' B.") 

Louie: Very well. 

{They take him over — business of putting him in bed '' B'* 
{James Pole Catt is the tamest of the patients so far and will 
continue to be so. He is mild and his sole fear is of a family 
of skunks that at intervals come out and play about his feet. 
For obvious reasons — James doesn't approve of this.) 

Dr. Rodgers {to Barbara — laughing quietly) : This is a case 
I had sent up because of its being one in a thousand — and 
because it will at least be diverting if not elevating. It 
is as I say decidedly an unusual one, as you will soon see. 
{Flora now has taken position between and at heads of beds 
** A " and ** B," so that she can take care of both Catt and 
Jinks.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Miss Andrews, the chart. 

{Flora comes toward Dr. Rodgers and takes chart.) 

{Barbara goes to Left side of bed " C") 

{Amy is between beds " D " and '*£.") 

Well, well — we are nearly full here — I mean filled up. 

By the dogs, they are coming in fast today. 

{Louie comes in and goes to Amy with hypodermic things,) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 55 

{Colt meantime is looking on floor both sides of bed and 

towards his feet as if expecting to see some small object there 

— he is very careful and very cautious,) 

{Flora with assistance of Louie gives Catt hypodermic. He 

takes it gracefully,) 

{Jackson, Hall and Jinks meantime — and during all these 

scenes — ad lib, — glassy stuff not overdone but just enough 

axition so there will be no drag. 

Dr. Rodgers {to Barbara): We will have another one 
along presently and this one may be a little more lively 
at times. 

Barbara: They are lively enough for me now. Any more I 
fear would be superfluous. 

Dr. Rodgers {starts towards his door) : No, indeed. These 
cases, while out of the ordinary, generally are rather mild. 

{He exits Left 1 E,) 
{Louie is now finished with " hypo " and goes near door 
Left 3 E — stands there so that he may be on hand when 
wanted,) 

Jackson {picks at things like figures or specks on his bed cloth- 
ing. Gets real scared — backs away — horror stricken — 
work up here. Eyes bulge out, cold perspiration — and all 
that. As he picks up an imaginary bug) : Ah, lady bug — 
pink lady bug — hear it sing ' ' Beautiful Lady . ' ' {Assumes 
attitude of listening — fright seems to disappear,) Look at 
them — pink lady bugs — all over the place. {Looks 
around) See them — see — keep away — {Looks under 
pillow again — listens — turns head — listening attitude.) 
{Catt looks about again — at feet and around sides of bed — 
seems to be getting worried,) 
{Flora is at Left head of bed " A.'') 
{Louie at entrance of door Left 3 E.) 
{Barbara Left head of bed " C") 
{Amy Right head of bed " E.") 



56 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{As Jackson says "See them — see " — there is noise of feet 
in the hallway.) 

Louie {to Amy) : Miss Burt, another case coming. 

{Two orderlies come in with Adams on stretcher. They take 
him to foot of bed " D." He is of similar stature to Jackson,) 

Amy: Put him in here. {Indicating " D'' — only bed re- 
maining unoccupied.) 

{They do so. He is surly and cross, typical D T. patient. 
He has the common or ordinary kind, and has them bad 
though — for the sake of the story — not so badly that he has to 
be restrained at this time. Eyes are bulged and glassy. Face 
bluish white — he is afraid of everything. With considerable 
difficulty he is placed in bed. Louie steps outside or to door 
as if to take something from someone. Comes to bed '' D " 
vrith chart, hypo, etc. Gives chart to Amy and, as he does, 
she goes back of him. He takes her place and she goes to Left 
head of bed '* E " near Hall. Two orderlies hold Adams 
while Louie gives him the hypodermic. He squirms and 
wiggles. They finally get him quieted so that he doesn't ap- 
pear dangerous.) 

Adams {mutters — talks fast — breathes hard) : Snakes — take 
them away — crawUng on me. 
{Orderlies hold him back again.) 

{He mutters — tongue trembles so he cannot speak 
audibly — keeps on muttering — saying nothing much — 
more a lot of syllables meaning nothing. All of the time in 
great fear of snakes and things crawling at his feet or about 
to spring at him. Once in a while may utter words that can 
be understood like rattler — boa constrictor, etc.) 
{Flora and Amy do not seem greatly alarmed, but Barbara 
is badly frightened and gradually has worked around to Right 
side of Jackson's bed " C") 

{After hypodermic is administered, one of the orderlies — 
the one who is on same side of bed as Louie, Left, exits.) 
I say — they are striking at me. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 57 

Dr. McIntosh {enters Left 3 E) : Louie, you and Morgan had 
better stay here for the present — until we see how these 
patients behave or what becomes of them. 

Louie: Yes, Doctor. 

Dr. McIntosh: Be careful to watch bed " C " there, the 
middle one {meaning Jackson), and this man Adams — 
the last one in. The others aren't dangerous today. 

Louie: We will. 

Dr. McIntosh: That's good. {Exits Left 3 E,) 

{Warn curtain.) 

{From here to time curtain goes down — to show lapse of 
time until Saturday — noise and business gradually works 
up — so that as it goes down there is general noise and con- 
fusion.) 

Jackson {mutters — listening attitude) : Who is it — who 
wants me — I didn't do it, I tell you I didn't. {And he 
crouches down ^— and ad lib. goes through this and mutters 
and listens. 

Jinks {almost sits up) : 'S that you, Jumbo, and zebras and 
giraffes — such a flock — don't get so close — don't 
crush me — look at them come — see — million of 'em — 
and rhinoceros, too — what's you follow me home for — 
eh? 

Hall {is still frightened but possibly a little bolder) : Say, you 
kings — I tell you — I'm not afraid of you. You don't 
want me tell on you. Don't want me to say who started 
this war — I can. That's why you have sent me in here 
— get me away — afraid I'll be king of the world. 
{He keeps this up.) 

{As each one talks — others mumble and mutter — so their 
voices won't be heard above lines — but gradually murmur 
it louder.) 

Catt {again looks at feet and around bed — ) : Kitty — nice 
kitty — Kitty, nice kitty — {as they seem to get closer) 



58 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Go away, go away — {Is getting terrified) Oh-h-h — see 
them — at my feet — playing there — whole bunches, 
father skunk — mother skunk — and whole family of 
skunks — ugh-b-o-o-o. 

{Adams in terror sits up — orderlies try to hold him — he 
fights but they overcome him,) 

{As the curtain goes down they scream — and for a few sec- 
onds, possibly ten to fifteen, there is noise which grad- 
ually dies out,) 

CURTAIN 

Quick Curtain Here to Denote Passage of Time from Tuesday until 
Saturday. Curtain Remains Down for Two Minutes 

{As curtain ascends, positions are as below indicated. It 
is now Saturday afternoon at three o'clock, or a few minutes 
of three and just before '' visitors' hour,'' All patients are in 
bed where left on Tuesday and there is an orderly at entrance 
to porch Right 1 E, and Louie is at general entrance Left 3 E, 
Amy is at head of bed " E " on Right of it, Barbara is at 
Right head of bed " C," and Flora at Left head of bed " ^." 
Jinks is asleep. Other patients most of the time in this act, 
unless otherwise indicated, will be quieter as other business 
will be more important the greater part of the time. While 
there may be more or less pantomime and '' ad lib," business, 
it must be such that it will not detract from important 
speeches and business. Occasionally, however, some dem- 
onstration may be given by patients except Jinks — and 
especially toward end of act, where the scene of attempted es- 
cape takes place. Nurses are seated near patients as indi- 
cated,) 

Barbara: Is Jinks still asleep? 

Elora: Yes. After his wild night Wednesday, he seemed to 
become weary and relatively quiet, then yesterday just 
before noon he fell asleep and he has now been asleep for 



THE PINK DEBTEES 59 

nearly twenty-eight hours. This, however, as you know, 
isn't unusual. He will, perhaps, have recovered his sense 
when he wakes up and his hallucinations will have gone. 

Barbara: No doubt he will be well enough to leave us in 
another week. He certainly has had an experience which 
should make him think twice before he drinks once. 

Flora: He'll probably do a lot of thinking. More than likely 
he will be here, or in some other city hospital's alcoholic 
ward, within the next six months. Each time his attack 
will be more severe until the end may come and relieve 
his family and the community from his further burden. 

Barbara {looking at wrist watch): Three o'clock. Time for 
visitors. I wonder who will be here today. 

Flora: We are expecting some friends we met at the beach 
the first of the week, aren't we, Miss Burt? 

Amy: Yes — a Mr. Davis. 
(Jackson notices name.) 
A Mr. Phelps. 
(Jackson noticeably anxious.) 
and a Mr. Stair. 

(Jackson greatly alarmed. Nurses notice that he has taken 
sudden ''fit.'' He merely goes through " acute hallucina- 
tions " — symptoms of listening — mutters quietly — but 
greatly excited. Nurses watch him a second or two.) 

Barbara: I think I do not know them. 

Flora: Everyone has heard of Hal Davis of the " Times." 

Barbara: Yes, I have heard of him though I do not know 
him. 

(Jackson continues — listening attitude and similar busi- 
ness, ad lib.) 

Amy: They have a friend — a Mr. Jackson — who planned 
to take his vacation with them. After delaying them for a 
week, — he, — on some silly pretext or other, refused to 
go. They gave him a week to join them and threatened 



60 THE PINK DEBTEES 

to play some kind of a practical joke on him if he failed to 
arrive within that time. 

Flora : If he hasn't reached them today, they are to return 
to the city to carry out their threat, which they told us 
would be something unusual and elaborate in the extreme. 
They also promised to come here to see us. They said 
they were interested in delirium tremens and alcoholics, 
though just how or why they would not say. 
{Jackson, greatly alarmed, runs hands through hair, does 
everything he can to disguise himself,) 

Barbara: We shall, of course, be glad to show them this 
ward and our patients. By the way — you don't know 
what Mr. Jackson's first name is, do you? I have a very 
dear friend in Chicago — a Miss Ethel Jackson, who has 
a brother here. I wonder if it could be he? 
(Jackson more interested — listening business — very wor- 
ried and anxious — assumes attitude of listening — turning 
head from one side to other, etc. 

Flora: I presume not. But from the way the young men 
talked — I certainly feel sorry for Mr. Jackson. He will 
regret his action. 

Barbara: No doubt he will be able to take care of himself. 
{Jackson pleased,) 

Amy: We learned only that Mr. Davis expected to write up 
some kind of a story about Mr. Jackson in the " Times," 
and then the others, who seem to have influence about 
town, are to endeavor to make this story appear true. 

Barbara: I am becoming interested. You must tell me all 
about it when you learn. 

{Jackson some more interested — but all of the time keeping 
within bounds — so it will not be noticed that he is other than 
a real DT patient,) 

Flora: We shall be pleased to do so. 

Bill Hunt {has entered Left 3 E, Walks toward center, looks 



THE PINK DEBTEES 61 

towards beds in which Jackson and Adams are lying. He 
has both hands in coat pockets. He is rather a tough char- 
acter in looks and dress. To Barbara) : I want ter see one 
of dose gents. 

Barbara: Very well. 

{Hunt goes up between beds *' C " and " D." He looks at 
Jackson and Adams, He evidently doesn't want them to 
know which one he has called to see. Nurses busy them- 
selves so as not to notice him. He quickly takes small instru- 
ment from pocket — wrapped in cloth or handkerchief and 
slips it near Adams' pillow, Adams notices it, but does not 
touch it. It contains pistol. He stays only a few seconds,) 

Hunt {as he starts out — to Barbara) : Dem guys don't look 
good to muh, me friend here doesn't even know me. I 
don't want ter stay here. I'm afraid I'd get the willies 
meself. 

{Barbara doesn't answer, he goes out Left 3 E with swagger. 
Nothing is said until he goes out,) 

Barbara: He looks as if he might have had the " willies " 
many times himself. Why do they allow such visitors? 

Amy {shrugs shoulders) : Public hospital. 

Barbara: Well, it may be all right, but it certainly doesn't 
seem proper to me. That fellow looked as if he'd do most 
anything — if he had an opportunity. 

Amy: He couldn't do any harm here. 

Barbara: I hope not. 

Hal {enters Left 3 E followed by Buddy and Bob — they look 
around before anything is said. Then Hal notices Amy, goes 
to her and says) : Greetings, Miss Burt ! 
{Jackson very much perturbed — business of dodging, etc) 

Amy {as she steps down to foot of bed " E ") : Very glad to see 
you {she gives him her hand), Mr. Davis. {To Buddy 
and Bob) Also you {as she gives Bob her hand) Mr. 
Phelps 



62 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{He greets her) 

and {giving Buddy her hand) Mr. Stair. 

Mr Stair: Glad to see you. 

{As Hal and Bob shake hands they immediately step up and 
back of Amy and go towards her, so that about the same time 
Amy has spoken to and shaken Buddy's hand the other 
two are ready to meet Flora. Stair for the moment talks in 
pantomime to Amy. Jackson worried.) 

Hal: Greetings to you also, Miss Andrews. 

Flora {has come down to foot of bed '' A ")• How are you, 
Mr. Davis {as she shakes his hand) and Mr. Phelps 
{same business) ? We are certainly pleased that you have 
come back to the village. 

Buddy {as he goes to Flora) : More so than a certain friend 
of ours will be. 

{Jackson flurried. Indicates Buddy is right.) 
How do you do, Miss Andrews? 

Flora: We have managed to keep from catching our pa- 
tients' ailments so far. 

{Jackson interested in objects under his head — keeps rather 
more than half-faced down so visitors haven't noticed him. 
So far they have not paid any particular attention to patients. 
As Buddy goes to Miss Andrews, Bob crosses back and to 
Right of Amy and there is conversation in pantomime.) 

Buddy: We wish you might tell us how we can arrange to 
give our friend Jackson a good attack of delirium tremens. 
Still, what we have in store for him is even worse than a 
violent case of " snakes " I'm sure. 

'^{Jackson — listening business, makes faces to disguise him- 
self. Puffs out cheeks, screws face about, arches neck and 
performs all manner of grimaces and postures so as to change 
appearance.) 

Flora: I hope it isn't as bad as that. 

Hal: Bad as that? Why, Miss Andrews, there isn't any- 



THE PINK DEBTEES 6S 

thing in the annals of history that half equals the punish- 
ment in store for our deserter. The scheme we have 
worked out is novel and yet consistent. You'll hear 
about it. 

{Jackson terribly worried.) 
Buddy: So will Jackson! He'll hear it and feel it and taste 
it. He'll beg forgiveness and ask us to give him quarter 

— after the first day's proceedings, I'm sure. 
{Business Jackson.) 

{They have taken a little more of stage and Bob and Amy go 
toward Barbara. Introduction in pantomime just before or 
about at HaVs speech and they come down and now take posi- 
tions as follows: Hal — Flora — Buddy — Barbara — Boh 

— Amy.) 

Flora: Miss Dunn — Mr. Davis {indicating Hal — they 
bow) and Mr. Stair. 
{They bow, too.) 

Barbara: I've heard about your plans — and your inten- 
tions regarding this Mr. Jackson, and naturally, being of 
a rather sympathetic nature, I am very sorry for the 
young man. Already I feel very much interested 
{Jackson noticeably pleased — almost forgetting situation 

— goes through action indicating pleasure — imitation of 
clapping hands without letting hands touch, etc.) 

in him, and I'm sure if I could be of assistance to him, — 
if I could ameliorate his suflfering — I feel that it would be 
my duty to do so. 
Hal: Miss Dunn, I'm sure your intentions are the best, but 
we cannot permit you to interfere. Mr. Jackson has 
courted our displeasure, he has politely requested us to 
do our worst, and advised us no matter what we plan to 
do, no matter what we did — he would be prepared — 
he would not give in. Under the circumstances what is 



64 THE PINK DEBTEES 

there for us to do? Now for the very worst — and I only- 
wish to say — if he wins — I hopes he chokes. 
(Jackson — business,) 

Barbara: Mr. Davis! 

Hal: Figuratively speaking, of course. But he can't win. 
The cards are stacked. We start in tonight. 

Flora: Where is this Mr. Jackson now? 

Buddy : We haven't the shghtest idea. So far as we know he 
may be here now. 

(Jackson covers head with bed clothing — and occasionally 
peeps out from now on.) 

Flora: Very likely, indeed! 

A]viy: Haven't you any idea what he is doing? Why he 
did not accompany you? Why he hasn't joined you 
since? 

Bob: All we know is that a week ago when we went to his 
apartment and when we presented our ultimatum, he 
was busy hauling medical and legal books to his rooms 
and they were all opened or marked at " Delirium Tre- 
mens." He seemed to be studying it both from a legal 
and medical standpoint — that's all we know. 

Hal: That's why we are all particularly interested in the 
subject — and that's why we came here today. 

Flora and Amy: Oh! (Rather long drawn-out oh — half ex- 
clamation, half question.) 

Bob: That is — of course — Mr. Davis means — that is one 
of the reasons ! 

Barbara: Studying the subject you say — had medical 
books and law books? 

Buddy: Loads of them. Text books on law and medicine 
pertaining to delirium tremens and kindred subjects, re- 
ports of cases where people had been imprisoned or ar- 
rested charged with crimes committed while in the state 
of delirium tremens. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 65 

Barbara: Goodness — sounds spooky! {She looks toward 
Jackson cautiously.) 
(Jackson ducks under sheet.) 
(She looks front again.) 

I am more interested than ever. I would like to meet this 
Mr. Jackson. 

{Jackson sits up — holds out his hands as if to shake — 
then shakes it with other hand — bows at same time as if 
being introduced — and acknowledging the introduction.) 

Hal : If he ever recovers from the treatment we are to accord 
him, we hope to have the pleasure of introducing him — 
or what's left of him. 

Barbara {interested): Thank you, indeed. But do you not 
know anything regarding Mr. Jackson's whereabouts or 
the nature of his undertaking? Perhaps he is pursuing 
a course of medicine or law. 
{Jackson very much interested through this scene.) 

Hal: Medicine? Law? Love is more likely! Cupid is lead- 
ing him around by the nose. All we could find out about 
it is that he has somewhere seen a beautiful woman. He 
doesn't know her name, or who she is. All that he knows 
about her is that she's the most wonderful and prettiest 
ever — and she wears pink. Always wears pink, he says. 

Barbara {keenly interested) : Pink. 

Bob: Yes. He wanted a week. We presume he's off some 
place looking for her. Personally, judging from the nature 
of his late reading and studying, I wouldn't be surprised 
if he now had pink " DT's." 

Barbara {rather absent-mindedly): She wears pink always? 

Hal: Yes — so he said. He may have been seeing pink. 

Barbara: Where is this Mr. Jackson's home? Do you 
know? 

Hal: Chicago. 

Barbara: Do you know if he has a sister named Ethel? 



66 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Hal: He has a sister. I never heard him mention her name. 
He never talked about any girl, even his sister, until he 
went crazy about this vision in pink. That's all the more 
reason why we think he has pink DT's. 
{Jackson indicates that he has pink DT's all right,) 

Barbara: A man doesn't necessarily have to be crazy or 
have deUrium tremens just because he happens to be in- 
terested in some girl who wears pink, does he? 

Hal: Certainly not. We'd probably all be as fussed about 
this girl as Jackson is if we could only see her. She must 
be rather out of the ordinary in looks and dress or Jack- 
son never would have noticed her. 

(Jackson pleased, Barbara is more interested. She now 
thinks, perhaps, that Jackson may have seen her.) 

Buddy: We had better look around, if we may, then we must 
go, as we are no doubt breaking the rules now. 

Flora: This is such a small ward and conditions are such 
just at present that we haven't been held to " strict ac- 
countability." 

Buddy: That may be, but there's a Umit to everything. 

Hal: Everything but what we are going to do to Jackson. 

Amy: Well, we'll show you around, if you must go. 
{Jackson greatly excited, fearing discovery,) 

Flora: Yes — Miss Burt, you show them. 

{Barbara goes up to head of bed " C " and Left of it and Flora 
back to Right of bed " A " and are seated. As these two girls 
take positions. Amy and boys go Left — Amy first, then 
Buddy, Bob and Hal last, Jackson turns on side so as to 
face away from visitors. Remains that way until indicated 
otherwise.) 

Amy: This man {indicating Ball) has paranoia, superinduced 
by drinking alcoholic beverages. He has been here a 
number of times and formerly had only severe attacks of 
delirium — now he has come for the last time the doctors 



THE PINK DEBTEES 67 

here say — and his deHrium tremens has developed into 
paranoia. There is no hope for him. No treatment is of 
any avail. 

Hall (excited) : Take them away — take these devils away, 
they want to take me to hell. 

(Amy moves away, they follow down around foot of bed "jE.") 
Ha, Satan and flames of hell. Ha — a — ha — a — I'm 
not afraid of you. (He says this as they go. Becomes grad- 
ually quiet but mumbles and mutters — watching visitors 
or half a minute or so — then relaxes.) Can't hurt me, I'm 
greater than you. I'm the kaiser. 

Amy: He's been everything imaginable since he came here. 
That's characteristic, however, of this type of the disease. 
Here's a very bad case of deUrium tremens. (Indicating 
Adams in bed " P.") This man is quieter, now. He seems 
to have worn himself out. His case is very serious and we 
would not be surprised if he did not recover. 
(Adams is wild-eyed and tremulous — mouth ^partly opened 

— but he says nothing,) 

Hal: How long has he been here? 

Amy: Since the first of the week — about six days. He's 

rather a desperate looking character, isn't he? Terrible 

the eflFect liquor has upon human beings. 
Buddy: Now please don't give us a temperance lecture. I 

maintain that if a man wants to take a drink or get drunk 

— that's his business. He's paying for it, isn't he? Why 
should we or anyone else interfere? He might think it 
was fooUsh for us to spend our money for gasohne or 
golf clubs. Simply a matter of opinion. 

Bob: The physicians for life insurance companies claim that 
a man's hfe is shortened a certain number of minutes 
each time he takes a drink of intoxicating liquor. One 
drink of whisky shortens the drinker's life twenty-five 
minutes while a drink of beer makes him ten minutes 
nearer the official visit of Mr. Undertaker. 



68 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Hal: Well, well, if that's so I have a lot of friends who died 
before they were born, and they don't know it. 
{Adams continues to stare at visitors as if they were fierce 
animals or snakes — and rather draws away from them.) 

Amy {goes away and towards Jackson's bed and wp on Left side 
of it): This man {indicating Jackson) has what we call 
acute hallucinosis. 

{Jackson has climbed partly out of bed so that head and 
shoulders are leaning out as if he were looking for some ob- 
ject under mattress or at side of bed — as if voices were 
coming from there,) 

It is sometimes called acute persecutory insanity. He 
imagines people are shouting at him and hears voices 
everywhere. He is trying to find a voice now under his 
mattress no doubt. 

Hal: Shall we help him find it? 

Barbara: You needn't mind. He's my patient. Fll take 
care of his voice. 

Amy : This form of the disease is usually confined to the bet- 
ter classes so perhaps this young man is from some good 
family. It is likely his relatives do not know that he is 
here or they would hurry him away to a private sanitarium. 

Bob: Where did they find him? 

{Jackson still busy with voice — trying to locate it.) 

Barbara: On the street. He didn't know where he lived 
and didn't know his name. Perhaps he has seen better 
days. 

Hal: He's apt to choke if he doesn't find that voice pretty 
soon. 

Buddy: Perhaps he's looking for his master's voice. 

Hal: Oh — such a joke. I hope you choke. 

Amy: Here's a peculiar case over here. This man {indicating 
Catt — they go around and up to Right side of bed — she 
speaks as they go) has only one fear — it's a strange one. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 69 

He isn't afraid of voices, or snakes, or fierce animals. His 
one fear is — skunks. Sees them all around. 

Hal: Skunks, eh? I suppose he found his wife's thousand dol- 
lar set of mink furs is skunk, and that made him get 
drunk. 

Amy : This patient will stay awake all night reading a paper 
or book — or pretending to — because when he falls 
asleep — the — kitties come. He sees them all about his 
feet. It's amusing, yet pitiful. 

(Jackson as the visitors come around to Right side of bed 
" B " turns over on his left side and looks for voices around 
the other side of bed — just as he did previously when he was 
on the right side,) 

Hal: Well, look at Mr Acute Hallucinosis, alias Mr. Acute 
Persecutory Insanity. I'll gamble he'll find that voice if 
it takes all summer. 

Buddy: I'll venture Mr. Voice Hunter is enjoying himself. 
He's having the time of his life. The Constitution gives 
to every man the right of life, liberty and the pursuit of 
happiness. Doesn't that give him the right to get drunk 
if he wants to? This prohibition stuff makes me weary. 
I say that what he does is his business. He's now engaged 
in the pursuit of happiness. 

{Jackson continues looking for voice until visitors get through 
with Colt and Jinks,) 

Catt {who has been resting quietly, as visitors continue near him^ 
notices them, seems worried and fussed and, as Hal makes 
last speech, Catt eyes him — others watch Catt and Hal, Catt 
gradually pulls up feet under him and sits up in his bed, is 
now scared and looking at Hal, says) : Go away, Kitty — 
I'm afraid oi pussies. 

Hal {laughs) : Greetings, old top — I hope you choke. 

Catt : Don't want your greetings, pussy, and as for choking — 
worse things might happen. {He holds nose) I say go 



70 THE PINK DEBTEES 

away — go away. {He gets as close to head of bed as possible 

without getting from under the clothes) I tell you, Kitty, to 

shoo — shoo — shoo — ! {Still holds nose — looks disgusted.) 
Bob: Better shoo — Hal. — In other words — use your 

shoes. 
Hal {stepping down and to Right a few steps) : Well, if you 

say so. 
Catt: That's a nice pussy — just stay away, Kitty, nice 

little Kitty. {He gradually settles down again to former 

position,) 
Buddy: Hal, he certainly has you spotted. 
Bob : You mean striped — not spotted. 

Flora: All of which reminds me, gentlemen, that for particu- 
lars you should consult Mr. Jinks here of the Zoo. 

{They all turn round to look at Jinks.) 
Hal: Jinks of the Zoo? Relative of Captain Jinks of the 

Horse Marines? 
Flora: Captain Jinks has never registered here. Mr. Jinks 

has animal or menagerie delirium. 
Bob: Does he see Hals — I mean pussies, too? 
Flora : So far he hasn't informed us to that effect — he is 

out for bigger game, or they are out for him — rather. 
Buddy: Hunting big game must be good hereabouts at 

times. 
Flora: We have more wild animals and snakes here to the 

square inch than any place else in the world — or else 

these men are all nature fakirs. 
Hal: Shades of the Bull Moose — let us hope not. 
Flora: The patient in the center bed, sees all his animals and 

things pink, he is very partial to that color. 
Bob: Does he hear pink, too? 
Flora: I'm inclined to think so. But he doesn't know where 

anything comes from. 
Hal: Yes, a purple mauve tiger, with vermillion eyes and a 



THE PINK DEBTEES 71 

barbed wire tail is always much more interesting and fasci- 
nating if we don't quite know where he comes from. 
{They all, including Amy, come down stage.) 

Barbara: Well, I like pink better than purple — mauve or 
Vermillion. 
{Jacksonwho has resumed former position isgreatly pleased,) 

Amy: In which respect you and Mr. Blank in the center bed 
agree. 

Barbara: Which shows his excellent taste. 
(Jackson shows much delight,) 

Hal: And speaking of taste. — Some people like to go to 
Africa for big game. Others prefer to have it brought to 
them in a demijohn. It is all a matter of taste. 

Buddy: Taste — is right. That's good! 

Hal: Regarding your pink friend there, I would suggest that 
perhaps he has an increase in the polynuclear leukocytes 
and a diminishing of the mononuclear but no leukocytosis. 
His delirium is so severe no doubt that he has no eosi- 
nophiles. (Jackson enjoys this,) 

Amy: Well, where did you get that? 

Hal (laughing) : Read it in one of the books our friend Jack- 
son was studying. 
(Jackson interested,) 

Flora: Well, Mr. Stair, aren't you willing to agree now that 
perhaps intoxicating liquor is at least occasionally a bad 
thing? 

Buddy : I believe a man should be allowed to do as he pleases 
about liquor and religion. 

Flora: My! One would think you were a distiller! 

Barbara: Some doctors say that when a man has delirium 
tremens there are no changes in his brain — others declare 
the trouble is with other organs of the body. 
(Jackson indicates his trouble in his heart,) 

Bob: Here's a great idea! When the doctors find out what 



72 THE PINK DEBTEES 

organ causes the trouble — the DT's — easy — oper- 
ate, take out the organ — or the piano — that is responsi- 
ble for the noise and the animal movies — presto — 
drink like the proverbial shark — no Jonahs. — No loss 
of time from business — and all the present pleasures 
without detention in a hospital, no bad effects — just 
unadulterated pleasure. 

Hal: All very well, but — 

Flora : But what — 

Hal : I was going to say that — the pleasure of having a 
number of nice looking and attractive and kind nurses 
about — might make up for a multitude of snakes, ani- 
mals and noises. 
{Jackson agrees that it does.) 

Barbara : You do not think that any of these patients have 
come here because of the attractiveness of the nurses do 
you? 
(Jackson very interested in Barbara's remarks,) 

Hal: No — no — but there must be some pleasure in having 
them about. 

Amy {jokingly) : Mr. Davis — we will not permit any of these 
personal remarks here — if you want to tell those things 
to any of my friends — there may be a time and a place. 
{Jackson agrees,) 

Hal: And the girl! 

{Jackson looks lovingly at Barbara,) 

Amy: Is for you to find. 

Hal: I hope she — I mean I hope she doesn't choke. 

Buddy : It seems to me our time is about up — if we stay 
longer we'll have to register and become patients. 
(Thinks) By jove, I wouldn't mind spending the rest of 
my vacation here as a patient — if I could only " get 
away with it." 
(Jackson shows he fears Buddy may try it.) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 7S 

Bob: Jack would certainly enjoy it here if he's as crazy about 
this DT stuff as we have reason to believe he is. 
{Jackson business of indicating he is enjoying himself — 
all right.) 

Barbara : * * Jack ? ' ' 

Hal: That's what we call Mr. Jackson for short. It's Mr. 
Blake Jackson — for long. 

Barbara: Perhaps — if he survives the ordeal of your 
stacked cards — he may come out and see — these pa- 
tients after — it — is all over. 
{Jackson registers — ** nothing doing.") 

Hal: If he's still on speaking terms we certainly shall be 
pleased to have him come out here — when we come 
again — if there is no objection to our coming again. 
{Jackson indicates there is objection.) 

Barbara: It isn't likely there will be objection, unless — 
you overdo it. And we shall be pleased to show Mr. 
Jackson around — especially if he is making a study of 
alcoholics. 
{Jackson registers pleasure.) 

Amy: We shall be glad to have you come again. — 

Flora: Soon. 

Buddy : If we aren't too busy carrying out the details of our 
bitter revenge — we may be out again — very shortly. 

Bob: Very. 

Hal: Meantime watch the *' Times " — may have an extra 
out tonight that will interest you — and Mr. Jackson, 
too — and if not tonight tomorrow's paper will be sure to 
contain a story worth reading — and Mr. Jackson will 
have some diflBculty in proving his innocence. 
{Jackson registers very much interest.) 

Barbara: Not so bad as that I hope. 

Hal: Worse. 

Buddy: And more of it. 



74 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Bob : And then some. 

{Jackson still more interested and surprised.) 

Hal: I'll say further: and only this: Our fake story is that 
Mr. Jackson is wanted for a very serious crime recently 
committed. The story is already written, In fact, it is all 
up ready for printing. If we don't find Jackson soon we 
publish the story — then he'll be sure to appear. We 
haven't done much else all week but prepare for it, as we 
felt Jack would not come. He seemed so interested in his 
DT stuff and his lady in pink. We have the goods on 
Jackson — everything. Hence having the corpus deliciti, 
the decorpore comitatus, the quarantina habenda, the 
executor de son tort cum testamento annexo — nothing 
else is necessary — but '* guilty " — 
(Jackson dumfounded,) 

Barbara: If that's the case Mr. Jackson had better start 
serving his term in order to save the time of trial. 

Hal : No, that would be too easy. We are the cat. We are to 
play with our mouse until we are ready to devour him — 
otherwise there would be no pleasure. 

Buddy: Looks cruel, doesn't it? 

Bob: And rather bloodthirsty .^^ 

Hal: Yet it is fair. *' Jack " had no business doing as he 
did — and then daring us to do our worst. 

Buddy: No, because instead of our worst we have done our 
best. 

Bob: And take it from Uncle Robert here — it's some best. 

Amy: No doubt it serves Mr. Jackson right. We know our 
vacation was all too short and if we had lost a week of it 
— we would be ready to do most anything to the person 
who deprived us of that week, isn't that true, Miss 
Andrews? 

Flora: It certainly is. I for one do not blame these gentle- 
men for " getting even," as they term it — with Mr. 
Jackson. I believes he deserves it. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 75 

Barbara: Well, I cannot agree with you, in that he deserves 
it, or that it is fair play. I don't mind practical jokes but 
I do think that they can be carried too far, and I want to 
say to all of you right now and here, that if I can help 
Mr. Jackson in any way I am going to do it. I warn you 
of it now so you cannot charge me with not playing fair. 
I need only say " Watch your step." If I can consistently 
help Mr. Jackson he is going to have one friend. Here, 
there are five against one, and from what these gentle- 
men say — they must have the police and all of the au- 
thorities assisting them in their practical joke. 
{Jackson very much pleased and interested.) 

Hal: Miss Dunn, I am sure you do not realize the seriousness 
of Mr. Jackson's offense. I, too, wish to say that we can- 
not agree we are not playing fair. As I said, he has dared 
us to do this and has assured us that he will be ready and 
waiting for us. I trust he is. This joke of ours will be the 
talk of the city and country within forty-eight hours. 
{Jackson registers contempt,) 

Barbara: And in the end he may have the last laugh. 
{Jackson laughs quietly.) 

Hal: That may be true — but our first laugh will be the 
longest lasting laugh. Jack will be entitled to any last 
laugh that may be left, just so long as it — lasts. 

Hal: Remember the newspaper tonight — or in the morn- 
ing — good-bye. 

{All men bow and leave Left 3 E. Girls take places — Flora 
Right bed " ^," Barbara Right bed " C," and Amy Right 
bed '* £." After men leave, there is a pause — nurses busy 
themselves with work. Jackson follows Barbara with his 
eyes. Nothing is said for a moment.) 

Barbara {to Amy) : I wonder if those young men were jok- 
ing. Such a deed as they plan might prove serious for 
them as well as for Mr. Jackson. 



76 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Amy: Not for them. They seem to have many friends in 
authority, including the pohce and the courts. In the 
end, of course, Mr. Jackson will be freed, after they have 
taught him, as they say, a lesson. 

Barbara: Well, I am very much disturbed about it. 

(Dr. Mcintosh and Fox enter Left 3 E, Fox is a man of 
forty with stubby moustache — is a detective. Dress and ap- 
pearance are the same as ordinary man in that business. 
They go close to foot of Jackson's bed. 

Dr. McIntosh: He {indicating Jackson) has been here since 
Tuesday. His face and hands were badly scratched, as 
you can still see. He was bruised in places as if he might 
have been in a hard fight. He has not been rational — 
apparently, since he came. 
(Jackson is interested,) 

Fox: You are positive that he wore the suit of clothes you 
showed me. 

Dr. McIntosh: Of course. We could not be mistaken in 
that. The orderlies can swear to that and in addition we 
tag the clothing each patient wears, so he may have it 
when he leaves. We are as certain as can be that he had 
that suit on when he came here — or rather when he was 
brought here. 
(Jackson looks to see if he can identify cloth or goods Fox has.) 

Fox: It certainly is a strong bit of evidence. This piece of 
goods (showing small piece of cloth) was taken from Mrs. 
White's hand, and she no doubt tore it from this patient's 
clothing when she was dying. It's enough to convict an 
innocent man. 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes, it would seem to me that, taken with 
the fact that he was so scratched and bruised, you have 
already a pretty strong case against him. 
(Jackson interested but not particularly worried as he be- 
lieves this is the *' job " the boys are putting up on him,) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 77 

Fox: It will be necessary for me to hand him this warrant 
and I will also serve one on the superintendent since this 
man is not rational. You see we call him John Doe, until 

' we learn his name. 

{Shoioing Dr. Mcintosh the paper. They walk up, Dr, Mc- 
intosh on Right side of Jackson's hed and Fox on Left. 
They look at him for a second or two, Jackson pays no at- 
tention. Simply starts and listens — hallucination business,) 
Well, he's got them all right, but that's no concern of 
mine. He had no business murdering Mrs. White. 
(Barbara and other nurses hear this and are very much in- 
terested, but Jackson pays no attention to what is said,) 
I'll give him this paper in your presence, doctor, so you 
will know that I served it on him. I am authorized to do 
this in these felony cases. 

Dr. McIntosh: Very well. 

Fox: Here you are, my man. (Offers Jackson the warrant,) 
You are arrested for the murder of Mrs. Mary White on 
Saturday last — 
(Jackson pays no attention.) 
Take it. 

(Jackson involuntarily takes warrant. Looks at it, rolls it 
in scroll and listens in one end of it as if it were a telephone 
— continues listening business,) 

Dr. McIntosh: You see it's merely a proof of his acute 
hallucinosis. 

Fox: I guess there is no doubt of that. 

Dr. McIntosh: Who is going to see that he is guarded here? 
(Adams shows interest,) 

Fox: I was just about to say that I will telephone the office 
to have a deputy sent up at once to watch him. There 
doesn't seem any immediate danger of his getting away, 
but it is a necessary precaution that we have him guarded. 
(Adams searches room with eyes,) 



78 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. McIntosh: He may not be able to leave here for a 
week or more and we will expect your oflSce to see that 
he doesn't escape. 

{Jackson continues acute hallucinations business.) 
{Adams looks toward porch exit Right.) 

Fox: I'll go and telephone now — then I'll return and wait 
until a deputy comes. 
{They both start for Left 3 E.) 

Dr. McIntosh : Louis, show Mr. Fox the nearest telephone. 
{They exit Left 3 E — Louis following. As they go there is 
a noise off Right entrance of porch as of something f ailing y 
followed immediately by piercing scream. Orderly looks in 
direction of noise.) 

Orderly: Miss Andrews, a patient has fallen from his cot. 
We had better see what the matter is. 
{Orderly and Flora rush out to porch.) 
{Adams has been watching since Fox explained about White 
crime — as if for opportunity to escape — and after orderly 
and Flora exit — waits a second, and after looking around 
room quickly toward various entrances, puts hand under 
pillow and takes gun, jumps from bed. Barbara, who has 
come down to near foot of bed " C '' is in Adams' way. He 
Tnakes a rush towards Barbara, and Jackson, noticing him, 
bounds out of bed at about same instant. Adams takes hold 
of Barbara roughly as if to choke her and quick as a flash 
Jackson grapples with him. Amy at first noise of Jackson 
and Adams jumping from beds, rushes out of Left 3 E for 
help. Jackson and Adams struggle for a few seconds and 
fi^nally Jackson overpowers Adams, throwing him over his 
— Adams' — bed " D " and takes pistol away from him. 
Adams stunned, remains there until entrance of Dr. Rodgers. 

All of above action very quick, but struggle is hard and 
realistic. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 79 

(Jackson holding pistol in his hand as Barbara stares at 
him. She doesn't know whether to thank him for saving her 
or not — is rather dazed for very short time — a second or 
less, as too much time must not be allowed to elapse before en- 
trance of other characters,) 

Jackson (realizing she must know that he is in possession of his 
mental faculties, says) : Miss Duncan — quick — you must 
pretend I tried to escape. Make them believe I had the 
pistol. Hurry. 

Barbara (open-eyed — wondering what it is about, not en- 
tirely willing to accede to his request, starts — very slight 
pause) : No — no — that wouldn't be right. 

Jackson (appealing to her for help) : You must for your sake> 
for my sake. You see I'm not an alcoholic. I even know 
your name. I came here because I wanted to be near 
you — yes — yes — and you must do as I ask — or I 
might get into serious trouble. 

Barbara (partly understanding) : Yes, I will — you saved 
me. (She hears someone coming — stands as if terror 
stricken.) 

(Dr. Rodgers rushes out from Left 1 E and finds Adams 
across his bed just gaining power enough to move slightly. 
Jackson, beruffled and showing effect of struggle, holding 
gun in his hand almost pointing at Barbara, is dazed and 
apparently out of his mind,) 

Dr. Rodgers (seeing that Jackson is uncertain what to do, 
thinks that he is in midst of delirium and shouts at him) i 
Drop that pistol. 
(Jackson simply stares,) 

Dr. Rodgers: Give it to me. (Takes step or two towards 
Jackson,) 

(Jackson continues to stare,) 

(Dr. Rodgers goes a few steps towards Jackson and now 
orderlies rush in — one from porch and one from Left 1 Ey 



80 THE PINK DEBTEES 

and take pistol from Jackson who makes no resistance. 
This business takes place at Right of bed " D," left of 
Center, Orderlies place Jackson in bed " C " and Adams in 
bed " D." Jackson appears to be all tired out and Adams 
recovering becomes excited and wild.) 

Adams {pointing at Jackson) : He tried to kill me. {Then sinks 
into state of delirium^ but after second or two settles down 
and remains quiet,) 

Dr. Rodgers: What happened? 

Barbara: I'm not sure. Someone tried to choke me. It 
may have been he. {Indicating Jackson) He had gun and 
seemed to want to escape. You know he has just been 
arrested for the murder of Mrs. White. I don't know 
what Adams was doing unless he was rational for a mo- 
ment and tried to help me. 

Dr. Rodgers: So he has been arrested for the murder of 
Mrs. White? Well, it is no wonder he tried to get away. 
{To Barbara) By the dogs, you are lucky you weren't 
hurt. 

Barbara: Oh, no, I think he only wanted to get me out of 
the way, I was simply standing here — he thought that 
I was trying to stop him and he attacked me. The gun 
was for effect. 
{Jackson stares and listening business,) 

Dr. Rodgers: Where did he get it? 

Barbara: I hadn't thought of that. There was a rather 
desperate looking character here a short time ago — said 
lie wanted to see his friend. He must have left the pistol. 
{Jackson same,) 

Dr. Rodgers: No doubt. This is interesting. Why did the 
man who made the arrest not stay here? 

Barbara: He went to telephone for a deputy sheriff. 

Fox {enters Left 3 E, Comes to foot of bed " D ") : The deputy 
will be here shortly. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 81 

Dr. Rodgers: You very nearly lost your prisoner. 

Fox: I didn't think, affected as he was, that he would have 

enough sense to try to escape. 

{Adams is restless and mutters,) 

(Jackson stares, listens, etc) 
Dr. Rodgers: Sometimes they are rational for a brief period. 

I presume your man had one of those lucid intervals. 

Have you a good case against him? 
Fox: Positive proof of his guilt. There's no question about 

it. The evidence cannot be disputed. It's the chair for 

him — and soon, too. There have been too many murders 

of late without arrests or convictions. We will make an 

example in quick time of our friend here. 

{Adams getting wild!) 

{Barbara badly worried.) 
Dr. Rodgers: Perhaps. Well, if you need him so badly to 

make a record for yourselves and an example to others, 

no doubt it will be well to see that he doesn't escape. 

{Adams sits up in bed. Claws air — afraid of reptiles, 

etc,) 
Fox: We'll watch him from now on until he can leave. 

{Jackson listens, etc.) 
Dr. Rodgers: I can save you much worry and do my duty 

by making your future neglect of no importance. 

{To Louie) Will you have a jacket brought in for this 

prisoner patient? 

{Adams screams and acts very badly,) 

And, also, I think you had better bring material for re- 
straining Adams. 
Louie: Very good. Doctor. {Exits Left 3 E.) 

Fox: You needn't trouble yourself. We will see there is no 

further attempt to escape. 

{Jackson continues same,) 
Dr. Rodgers: By the dogs, but you are chesty. One failure 



82 THE PINK DEBTEES 

on your part is enough. We aren't going to be parties to 
permitting this to happen again, thank you. 

Fox: But I tell you a deputy will be here shortly. 

Dr. Rodgers: So will the jackets and sheets. 

Louie {enters Left 3 E) : Here is the jacket. 
{Other orderly takes it.) 
I'll get the sheets at once. {Exits Left 3 E.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, we might as well proceed to make you 
{looking at Jackson) safe and secure. We cannot afford to 
have any of our nurses murdered. 
{Orderly goes to Jackson, removes bed clothing.) 
{Louie enters with sheets and things for Adams.) 
Puts them on Adams' bed " D.") 

Dr. Rodgers {to Louie) : You assist with the jacket. 

{Louie, Right of ** D ") Miss Andrews, will you help Miss 
Burt and Miss Dunn with Adams? 

{Barbara Left, bed " C " — Flora same. Amy Right of 
" J5." Then so that Jackson s jacket will be adjusted at the 
same time that Adams is " restrained " the work proceeds 
accordingly and is finished at the same time. The two order- 
lies, one on either side of Jackson s bed put him in jacket. 
He doesn't resist except in so far as he is afraid, but rather 
crouches. On the other hand Adams is rough and wild — 
nurses can do little with him, and after trying for a short 
time — ) 

Dr. Rodgers {notices Jackson does not resist): Louie, you had 
better help with Adams, and Miss Dunn you may assist 
with the jacket. 

{She turns to bed " C," and Louie turns to ** D.") 
{Louie helps hold Adams, and Dr. Rodgers occasionally 
takes a hand in adjusting the sheets.) 

They follow method mentioned in Osier & McCrae Modern 
Medicines, Vol. 11, page ^10. A sheet is tied around Adams' 
ankles, then tied to foot of bed, another sheet ties him also. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 8S 

going from foot of bed up over one shoulder, down through the 
axilla, across the bed of the opposite axilla, up across the 
shoulder, back to the bed. Muslin bandages wrapped around 
wrists over cotton wool and tied to bed. When work finished) : 
Well, that's better. By the dogs, we'll let nature take its 
course now, and trust to these fixings in preference to the 
arm of law. 
{Fox peeved,) 

{Adams vriggles about a little until he sees there is no chance 
for him to release himself — gradually settles down, but has 
wild stare,) 

{Jackson rather takes it as a matter of course — but continues 
his listening and hallucination business as much as possible 
under the restraint. Looks plaintively at Barbara, She 
notices him. During above Dr, Rodgers and others look on,) 
You may finish your telephoning, Mr. Fox, if you weren't 
through. There is no further danger. 

{Fox exits Left 3 E, as he says{) 

Fox: Thank you. I'll see where the deputy is. 

Dr. Rodgers {laughs) : I'm afraid we were too easy with 
these patients, but they will make no more trouble. I'll 
go now. 

{He goes to his office Left 1 E, Orderlies exit, too, — Louie 
to Left 3 E, and other orderly to entrance to porch. Step part- 
ly out for close of act. Nothing said as they go. Amy returns 
to Right of bed " ^," and Flora to Left of bed " £." Bar- 
bara stays Left of bed ** C." Newsboys heard in distance 
" Extra,'' '' Extra,'' faintly at first. Nurses busy straighten- 
ing things. After few seconds voices of newsies plainer as 
nurses continue, — Then newsies seem to be outside of 
window. Shout ** Extra " " Extra," all about the arrest of 
Blake Jackson for murder Mrs. White," — They repeat,) 
{At first *' Blake Jackson," Barbara who is at head of bed, 
straightens up — looks toward front — pause — she is 



84 THE PINK DEBTEES 

plainly affected by what newsies say — almost awe stricken. 
She realizes what they say — but waits as if not certain. 
When " Blake Jackson " is repeated — she looks at Jack- 
son — long pause, — She is in doubt whether he is really 
Blake Jackson, whether he has been arrested actually, or 
whether it is a part of the Davis— Stair— Phelps plot — 
Her lips tremble — she cannot control herself — goes close 
to bed — newsies continue. Jackson notices she is affected. 
As she looks at Jackson he smiles at her. She leans over bed, 

— continuing emotion — newsies' voices are gradually dying 
in the distance.) 

Barbara {noticing Jackson is looking to her for help — says 
slowly and with great emotion) : Y-o-u — y-o-u, Blake 
Jackson — 

{Jackson indicates yes with head.) 
Ethel Jackson's brother? 

Jackson {softly) : Yes. 

{Barbara looking at him intently. Indicates in her look that 
she doesn't believe him guilty — that she believes he is there 
because of her. She looks at him for a few seconds — then 
turns to front, bows head slightly, almost shakes with emo- 
tion. She must show in this short scene that she sympathizes 
with him and believes he is not guilty — that she believes that 
he has been actually arrested and that she will help him. She 
goes to him at Right head of bed " C") 

Jackson {slowly and with deep feeling) : You — don't — be- 
lieve — I did — this — this — thing — ? 

Barbara {with much emotion) : No — no — I believe — you 

— I believe — in you. I am your — friend. I will 
help you. 

{She sits near head of bed, close to him. Looks at him for a 
second or two — puts head in her hands — and leans forward.) 

SLOW CURTAIN 



ACT III 



B 

a: 
3 



■r 



WjT2cloV/ 



Wi n d o w 



Judoe's 
Desk etc. 



Witness 
Stand 



Report €r5 

Tabic 



Clerks 
Desk 



Court 

]^€porfers 

Tabic 



G< 



*5 ' 

h o 



Gate 



Chairs 



A]5\q 



AWorneus 
Table 



Chairs 



to 



Spectator^ 
Seats 



General Entrance 
io Court l^oom. 



Spectators ' 
5 eats - 



ACT in 

A criminal court room in New York City. The judge's desk and chair 
are close to R flat. In front of it, that is to L of it is Clerk of Court's desk and 
chair. Below and to down stage side is witness stand and almost directly 
L of witness stand and within a few feet of it, is court reporter's table and 
chair. At LUE is entrance to Judge's chambers. Up and to RC is re- 
porters' table for newspaper reporters. At C is large table for attorneys and 
chairs at up and down stage side of this table. This table is 8 or 10 feet by 
3 feet. 

At up stage side of this table will sit Raynor and Jackson, and in front dis- 
trict attorney and assistants. 

To R of this as indicated is passage way to witness stand and L all the way 
up and down stage are chairs numbered 1 to 12, and in these characters will 
sit, that is witnesses, boys, Mrs. Duncan, etc. To L of these chairs is a rail 
divided at C by swinging gate leading to aisle which in turn runs to L2E — 
the general entrance to court room. On either side of aisle are spectators' 
chairs. Imaginary jury (which will really be the audience) at Judges' R. 
At back are high windows. 

Typical New York City Criminal Court Room. 

{At rise of curtain are discovered Ethel Jackson, very attract- 
ive young woman of twenty-three or twenty-four, about Center 
in front of attorney's table, — Hal to her Right, and Right of 
him Buddy, and Left of Ethel is Bob, It is morning of the 
second day's trial in early September, Court has not yet 
opened for the day and these interested persons and witnesses 
have come early. Spectators drop in sometimes in little 
groups and by twos and occasionally one at a time. This 
continues until at commencement of trial spectators' chairs 
are all filled. Doorkeeper at entrance Left 2 and a bailiff 
is near Right 3,) 

Ethel {very much excited and quite worried): I certainly 
can't understand it. The whole thing is so queer. Why 
doesn't Blake explain. He simply smiles nonchalantly, 
denies everything, and seems satisfied with that. 



88 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Hal: Perhaps when he takes the stand he will clear things 
up. We know he can. He certainly isn't guilty of this 
awful crime. It is strange how he acts, I must admit. 

Bob: We are partly to blame. Our joke perhaps still makes 
him think that the whole thing is a " frame up." He 
heard all our plans that day in the hospital, the day he 
was arrested. Or, if he realizes the seriousness of it all, 
he's punishing us for our alleged joke. He told us that 
he would be prepared for the worst. 

Buddy: How could he think that this is a "frame up? " 
He must know that this is a real trial. 

Ethel: Certainly he must by this time. Before court was 
called yesterday he may have had reason to think you 
were holding out trying to make him give in, but now, 
goodness — with the jury all impaneled and so much 
evidence in. 

{They sit in four chairs in front of the attorney's table — 
Bob arranging chair for Ethel.) 

Hal: It looks very curious to me, too. Fox's testimony will 
be hard to overcome. He has testified that he himself 
took from Mrs. White's hand the piece of cloth torn from 
the coat worn by Blake when he was taken to the hospi- 
tal. It is without a question the same coat worn by the 
guilty party. There isn't a doubt of that. The peculiar 
shape of the piece proves that; and the coat has blood 
stains on it. 

Bob: Yes, and poor Blake's hands and face were so badly 
scratched, as the hospital orderlies testified — when he 
was taken there — and Mrs. Ryden swore that she saw 
a man leaving the flat about the time of the murder, who 
from a rear view looked like Blake, and whom she was all 
but willing to swear was he. 

Ethel: If he would only talk to me about it! 

Buddy: I have a feeling that everything will come out all 
right, but just how, I can't say. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 89 

Ethel: If it weren't for Barbara — Miss Duncan — I 
would lose all hope. She is cheerful. Isn't it wonderful 
how she has tried to help Blake. She has more faith in 
him — than — I was going to say — almost more than 
I have — and yet I know he isn't guilty. 

Hal: The testimony that was introduced yesterday was 
about as strong as circumstantial evidence could be, and 
Mr. Raynor didn't seem able to shake it materially. 
Those detectives are generally so well trained that there 
isn't much use in cross-examining them. 

Bob: That's one thing against them. They are always too 
sure of their statements. I think that kind of testimony 
sometimes loses weight. — The jury feels that these wit- 
nesses — these trained detectives are interested in one 
thing only — their position — and they know that if they 
are successful — their job will last. 

Ethel: Yes, there may be some hope in that. I don't know 
why Barbara feels so confident — and she is going to ap- 
pear as a witness for the state, too. So is Dr. Rodgers. I 
don't understand why they want to testify against Blake. 

Hal: Miss Jackson, you mustn't feel that way about it. 
They have been subpoened by the state — they cannot 
help it. 

Ethel: I presume that is true. I had hoped though there 
might be some ray of light in the testimony yesterday. 
Mr. Raynor seems to be doing everything possible, too. 

Hal: He's a wonderful man. Don't worry about the way he 
handles the case. Of course he's non-committal — but he'll 
never give up — of that I'm certain. 

Ethel: Yes, I have the greatest faith in his ability. 
{Dr. Rodgers and Barbara enter Right 1 .) 

Barbara: Good morning, every one. {Greets Ethel warmly,) 
{On '^ good morning^' — all four rise — takeposition to EtheVs 
right.) 



90 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers (follows Eihely crossing to boys) : I'm glad to see 
you all well again. By the dogs, this is warm weather for 
a trial! 

Hal: We hoped the warm weather would make the state less 
anxious to work. We were disappointed. They are cer- 
tainly trying hard. 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes — we were talking to Mr. Raynor just 
now. He says that they are not leaving any stone un- 
turned. 

Ethel: Is Mr. Raynor in the building? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, he's in the first room to the right. 

Ethel: We want to see him. Will you excuse us? 

Barbara and Dr. Rodgers: Certainly. 

Ethel: Thanks. {She says this as she goes out, followed by the 
three " boys ") 

Barbara {as she watched them go out): Poor Ethel! She is 
surely worried. Those boys are doing everything they 
can. They feel that they are to blame for this — though I 
can't see how or why. 

{They sit in two center chairs at table — at front side of 
table.) 

Dr. Rodgers: They intended to make it warm for Jackson. 
Someone has succeeded. 

Barbara: Mr. Raynor says it all depends upon our testi- 
mony. Your testimony I say. I am not an expert. What 
you say will mean much to Mr. Jackson. If you can 
truthfully testify that it — your opinion — 

Dr. Rodgers: I played a game of solitaire last night — and 
it decided for me that I can testify — 

Barbara : Oh, doctor — if you can — I know Mr. Raynor 
will do the rest. He says it wouldn't be ethical for him to 
speak to you — but I have talked to him so much — that 
he feels that I have as much interest in seeing him win — 
as anyone else. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 91 

Dr. RoDGERs: I thought that — myself. Jackson doesn't 
seem as bad as he — must be. {He smiles,) 

Barbara: You mean — 

Dr. Rodgers: That he must be — must have been — 

Barbara: Yes — yes — I understand. I can't think of him 
as such and yet I can only hope for his own present good 

— that he was — then we can hope. 

Dr. Rodgers: I wouldn't testify to anything I don't believe 
true — and yet as an expert — well — my opinion evi- 
dence — will be valuable — to someone — and I am 
ready to testify when called. 

Barbara: I am depending upon you. 

Dr. Rodgers: We certainly never expected — all this local 
color when you sought it a few months ago, did we? Who 
knows now but that you may have a good story out of it 

— yet. 

Barbara (sighs) : A good story — yes. 

Dr. Rodgers (smiles) : At least — that. 

Barbara: You mean — ? 

Dr. Rodgers: Oh, simply that there might be — oh, well — 
material enough for two — stories. 

Barbara: No doubt. But don't be mistaken in my attitude. 
I told Mr. Davis and the other young men that day, I 
would take Mr. Jackson's part — even before I knew him, 
or that he was Ethel's brother. They were planning a 
practical joke on him and I said I would help him. When 
I discovered the day he was arrested that he, our patient, 
was Blake Jackson — and he admitted to me then — that 
he was Ethel's brother — well — what I have tried to do 
for him — that is, for Ethel — and him, since — you 
know. 

Dr. Rodgers: He admitted to you that day in the hospital 
that he was Ethel Jackson's brother — did he? 

Barbara: Why — yes, he did. 



92 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{By this time there are ten or a dozen spectators in the main 
part of the court room. They have formed little groups and 
are busily engaged in conversation so as not to notice what 
characters are doing or saying,) 

Dr. Rodgers {passes hands over head and eyes — thinks a 
few seconds) : Well, well, that makes some difference, by 
the dogs! 

Barbara: You don't think it was just a lucid interval do 
you, Doctor? 

Dr. Rodgers: Perhaps — perhaps. — Well — I presume 
we'll have to let nature take its course. 

Barbara: Nature — you don't mean — 

Dr. Rodgers {ignoring her question) : So he was perfectly 
sane that afternoon when he admitted he was Ethel Jack- 
son's brother? 

{He gets up and walks toward witness stand and back — 
nothing is said. As he gets back to Center — seems to have 
an idea — that is, he realizes there is something queer about 
Jackson — and for the first time he believes Jackson has been 
faking — his idea being that he can testify that Jackson must 
have been in same mental condition at time murder was com- 
mitted as he was when admitted to Harvue, He believes he 
can save Jackson, He wants to, and yet wishes to tell the 
truth — also to keep his idea from Barbara and the audience 
at this time,) 

Well, by the dogs. Miss Duncan — I feel sure that my 
testimony will settle Mr. Jackson's fate. {He puts on sol- 
emn face — though he hopes he can save Jackson by his 
testimony,) 

Barbara: Oh, Dr. Rodgers — and I was relying on you — 
and now I can — 

Ethel {enters Right 1 — interrupting — goes to Barbara — she 
is followed by Hal, She notices Barbara is worrying) : Why, 
Barbara! What is the matter? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 93 

Barbara : Nothing — nothing — {Stops speaking when she 
sees Raynor at entrance.) 

{Mr, Raynor, attorney for Jackson, enters Right 1 — fol- 
lowed by Buddy and Bob. He is good4ooking young man 
of thirty 'five to forty, about five feet eight or nine, black hair, 
rather rosy complexion, making him appear younger than 
he is. Wears his hair slightly longer than average young man 
nowadays, but not noticeably long. It is brushed back. He 
is keen and sharp. 

{As he comes in he goes around Right end of attorney's table 
to the back of it. A bailiff carries in a number of law books 
to be used by Raynor and puts them on table.) 

Mr. Raynor: Good morning, Miss Duncan! Good morning, 
Doctor ! 

{Buddy and Bob follow him and go back of him towards 
chairs at upper side of stage and near chairs 8 and 9. 
Raynor is busy with books on his table.) 

Hal {to Barbara and Ethel — as he crosses in front of them) : 
Mr. Raynor says if the testimony shows what he hopes 
he can prove by some of the state's own witnesses — he 
will argue for a directed verdict. 
{Girls are pleased.) 
{Hal is going toward chair 7.) 

Ethel: Yes, I'm praying it may be as he hopes. 
{Hal passes back of others.) 

Barbara: Court is about to open, I think, so I will sit back 
here. {She takes chair 1 and Dr. Rodgers follows to chair 2.) 

Ethel: And I had better move to our side, too. {She goes 
to chair 6.) 

{Mrs. Duncan take seat in front row of spectators' chairs, 
back of Barbara. Amy and Flora also take seats in front 
row back of boys.) 

{Clerk of court, court stenographer, two or three of the as- 
sistant district attorneys, and a bailiff or two, enter at Right 



94 THE PINK DEBTEES 

1 Ey and at same time as officials are entering court room fills 
up, characters are talking in pantomime. District Attorney 
<ind assistants take their places at lower side of table down 
^center. Deputy sheriff enters after others, accompanied 
by Jackson, Jackson at once and briskly goes to Raynor 
(and shakes hands, speaks in low voice, he is cheerful and does 
not show any care or worry. Looks around and smiles at 
Ethel, Deputy sheriff takes chair 5 and is seated. Fox, who 
has entered following officials, sits in chair Jf, which position 
he takes at time he enters. After all are in. Judge Charles 
enters. He is man forty-five, large and smooth-faced — face 
rather full, too. He is not exactly fat. Rather like an athlete 
with a little too much fiesh. Has not much hair, but is not 
bald. Parts it in the middle. Judge goes at once to his chair.) 

Bailiff {raps table, opens court with announcement customary 
in New York) : Hear ye — hear ye — the court, etc. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Clerk {addressing clerk of court), are 
all the jurors present and in their seats? 
{He looks towards audience — jury — checks them up,) 

Clerk: Yes, if your honor pleases, I have made a record of 
their correct presence. {Does not call names because no 
one to answer,) 

Judge Charles {to imaginary jury at judge's right) : Gentle- 
men, I hope, as I cautioned you last evening when we 
adjourned, you have not talked about this case with any- 
one, or discussed it among yourselves; that you have not 
^allowed any one to talk to you about it or in your hearing 
or presence. {Addressing senior counsel for state) Mr. 
Rohr, were you through with Mr. Fox? 
'{Rohr, man of fifty, rather overbearing and has shrill voice, 
smooth face,) 

Hohr: Yes, your honor. This morning I will first call Miss 
Barbara Duncan. {Turns to Miss Duncan) Miss Duncan, 
please be sworn. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 95 

{Barbara goes to clerk at his desk. He stands up and hold 
Bible. She puts hand on it. Clerk mutters oath^ and when 
finished, Barbara nods her head, and takes witness stand.) 

RoHR {rises and stands during examination): Miss Duncan, 
state your name and residence. 

Barbara: Barbara Duncan, residence, New York city. 

Rohr: Were you employed as a nurse in Harvue City Hos- 
pital in this city between the 15th day of June and the 
10th day of July of this year? 

Barbara: Yes. 

Rohr: In what ward? 

Barbara: In one of the alcoholic or delirium tremens wards. 

Rohr: x\nd you spent all of the time between the days I 
have mentioned in that ward as such nurse? 

Barbara: Yes, in the day time. As a day nurse. 

Rohr: During that time was this defendant a patient in 
your ward, — a delirium tremens patient, — confined to 
the hospital with delirium tremens? 

Barbara: Yes. 

Bohr: Did you have charge of him — as his nurse, while he 
was so suffering from delirium tremens there? 

Barbara: Yes. 

Rohr: Did you keep the hospital chart? 

Barbara: Yes, in the day time and I was responsible for it 
at all times. 

Rohr {to court stenographer) : Will you please mark this ex- 
hibit 10. 

{Reporter marks exhibit. Rohr shows it to court who peruses- 
it quickly. Rohr then hands it to Raynor, who looks at it for 
very short time, returns it to Rohr. He evidently has seen 
it before and knows all about it.) 
{To witness.) 

Miss Duncan, I will ask you to look at exhibit 10 and 
state what it is. 



96 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Miss Duncan: It is a patient's hospital chart showing his- 
tory of the case of Blake Jackson, the defendant, with 
temperature, pulse, etc., while he was in the ward I men- 
tioned at Harvue. 

Rohr: The records made in your handwriting here — are 
they the accurate statement of the condition of this pa- 
tient — the prisoner — at the time you entered them? 

Barbara: Yes. 

Rohr: If it pleases the court I offer exhibit 10 in evidence. 

Judge Charles: May I ask what you intend to prove with 
it? 

Rohr: It has been shown, your honor, that the prisoner was 
arrested while confined in the hospital mentioned, and 
effort was made by the defense in cross examination of 
Mr. Fox to show Jackson was in alcoholic trance on June 
18th last. I want to prove his condition then and show 
w^hat it would have been a few days prior thereto — I 
believe I should show that the condition of the prisoner 
at the time he was in the hospital and at the time 
he first came there was such that he was no doubt normal 
at the time the crime charged against him was committed. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Raynor, do you wish to be heard? 

Raynor (rises) : We have no objection to the introduction, 
in evidence of exhibit 10 if it please the court. (Sits,) 

Judge Charles: Exhibit 10 is admitted in evidence. 

Rohr (to Raynor) : You may cross-examine. (Sits,) 

Raynor (rises and stands through examination) : Miss Dun- 
can, you have had considerable experience as a nurse in 
alcoholic wards, and in alcoholic cases and have made a 
study of these cases have you not? 

Barbara: Yes. 

Raynor: Miss Duncan, state please, judging from the condi- 
tion Mr. Jackson was in when admitted to Harvue hos- 
pital and from your experience as a nurse in such cases. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 97 

whether or not he was in a state of deUrium on Saturday, 
June 12th, last. 
{Raynor sits.) 

RoHR (rises) : If it pleases the court that is objected to on the 
ground and for the reason that this witness hasn't quali- 
fied as an expert. She is not a physician. 

Raynor {rises) : If your honor, please, this witness has quali- 
fied. She has had much experience in these cases, and I 
maintain that she has the same ability to testify on this 
point as a physician has. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Raynor. I cannot agree with you. 
Therefore I sustain the objection. 

{Ethel and boys are disappointed — they whisper to each 
other,) 
{Raynor turns and speaks to Jackson a moment.) 

Raynor {to the court) : There is no further cross-examination 
of this witness. {Sits.) 

RoHR {rises) : Miss Duncan, you may be excused for the pres- 
ent. 

{Barbara returns to her seat.) 

If it pleases the court I will call Dr. Rodgers. {Sits.) 
{Dr. Rodgers goes to clerk's desk and swears, in same manner 
as Barbara, then takes stand.) 
{Rohr rises.) 

Doctor, will you please state your name, age and occu- 
pation. 

Dr. Rodgers: Henry H. Rodgers, age sixty, physician and 
superintendent of Harvue City Hospital, New York city. 
My residence is in the city of New York. 

Rohr: How long have you been connected with this hos- 
pital? 

Dr. Rodgers: Thirty years. 

Rohr: How long have you been superintendent of the 
hospital? 



98 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers: Nearly twenty years. 

Rohr: What class of cases are brought to this hospital? 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, nearly every class. I might say emer- 
gency cases of every kind. Patients are brought there and 
after receiving the necessary immediate attention, if they 
wish to be taken to a private hospital and can be safely 
taken there, they frequently leave us. Charity cases and 
the poor generally in the vicinity of the hospital are 
entered here. I might add that in alcoholic cases, as a 
rule, where the patient is unknown and has lost his 
orientation, such patients remain here until cured, or some- 
thing else happens. 

Rohr: Do you have many alcoholic or delirium cases at 
Harvue — that is — are there many such patients an- 
nually taken care of there. 

{Barbara, keenly interested all through this scene — shows 
it plainly.) 

Dr. Rodgers: There are. 

Rohr: About how many. 

Dr. Rodgers: From eight thousand to ten thousand a 
year. 

Rohr: And you have supervision over all of these? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes. 

Rohr: Your experience, then, in alcoholic or delirium cases 
is broad? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes. I have made a special study of these 
cases for years. 

Rohr: Are you frequently consulted by physicians generally 
throughout the city, and state, regarding these cases, and 
your opinion sought.? 

Dr. Rqdgers: Yes. Frequently physicians come from many 
different parts of the United States to consult with me 
regarding some peculiar alcoholic case. 

Rohr: Are you considered an authority on the subject? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 99 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, I presume that is what I would be 
called. 

{Barbara and all other characters — boys, Ethel, Fox and 
attorneys are very much interested. Even spectators seem 
to be getting drift of examination. There is whispering 
among boys and Ethel — also between persons in audience.) 

RoHR {is evidently greatly pleased that he has so easily shown 
Dr, Rodgers' great knowledge of the subject — that there has 
been no objection and thinks everything is settled in his favor. 
He is quite overjoyed and rubs his hands) : Yes, yes. 
{He looks at jury and court in his great pleasure and joy — 
make strong so as to show disappointment at Dr. Rodgers^ 
answer.) 

Now, Dr. Rodgers, you may tell the court and the jury, 
please, if in your opinion Jackson was not sane and nor- 
mal, and in his proper and right senses on June 12th, last, 
when the crime with which he is charged was committed 
— that is, at that time was he not in your opinion normal 
in every way? And isn't it true that from his condition 
when he was brought to the hospital on June 15th, you 
would consider that he had just — within the past few 
hours — become delirious. {He looks at court and jury, for 
he is sure answer will be favorable.) 

Dr. Rodgers: In my opinion and from my knowledge and 
experience I would say that on June 12th, last, at the time 
this crime was committed and for some days prior thereto, 
Jackson was in the same condition mentally that he was 
when he entered the hospital on June 16th last, and that 
he was in at the time he was arrested for the crime. 
{Up to the last few words. Rohr has been expecting favorable 
answer and has even partly turned towards audience to see 
if they are to applaud him.) 

Rohr {dumfounded) : Doctor, I believe you did not under- 
stand me, did you? 



100 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, that is my answer. He was in the same 
mental condition on June 12th, that he was on June 16th, 
and for sometime thereafter and before, in my opinion. 

Rohr: But you told me yesterday and every day that — 
{Raynor jumps to feet, about to object.) 

RoHR (looking at Raynor) : Here, you — you — wait until I 
have finished my question! 

Raynor (shouts): It doesn't make any difference what he 
told you, or what you THINK now that he told you yes- 
terday or any other time — it's what he says now. 

Judge Charles (raps on desk with gavel) : Gentlemen — if 
I may call you such — I am surprised at this exhibition — 
indeed greatly surprised. Do you realize that you are in 
a court of justice? Now, let us see where we are. 

Raynor: Your honor, permit me to apologize. In the excite- 
ment of the moment and because of the great importance 
of this particular line of testimony I forgot myself. I am 
very sorry. 

Judge Charles: I understand, I accept your apology. 

Raynor: If it please the court I object to the district at- 
torney's question. He is endeavoring to cross-examine 
his own witness. (Sits,) 

Judge Charles: The objection is sustained. 

{Ethel and boys greatly pleased — murmurs about court 
room, Rohr, quite angry, shows it — glares at Judge, at the 
witness and at Raynor. This makes slight pause.) 
Mr. Rohr, will you proceed? 

Rohr: That's all. 

Raynor: Doctor, so that there may be no doubt of your an- 
swer, let me ask: Do you wish the court and jury to under- 
stand that in your opinion as an expert in alcoholic dis- 
eases and in particular delirium tremens, alcohoHc 
trance and kindred ailments, you believe that the defend- 
ant was in the same state mentally on June 12th last, the 



THE PINK DEBTEES 101 

day on which the crime with which he stands accused was 
committed, that he was at the time of his entry into your 
hospital and up to the time of his arrest? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, that is my opinion. I am quite certain 
that it could not be otherwise. 

Raynor: If it please the court, there is no further cross-ex- 
amination of this witness. 

RoHR (rises) : That's all. 

{Dr. Rodgers leaves witness stand and resumes seat.) 

I wish to call Dr. Mcintosh. 

{Dr. Mcintosh goes through same procedure, being sworn and 

taking seat as preceding witnesses.) 

Rohr: State your name, age, residence and occupation. 

Dr. McIntosh: J. G. Mcintosh, 40, New York City, physi- 
cian and in charge of delirium tremens and alcoholic 
wards in Harvue Hospital, this city. 

Rohr: How long have you been connected, as a physician, 
with Harvue Hospital and in said ward. 

Dr. McIntosh: Fourteen years. 

Rohr: Have you been in the same wards during all of that 
time? 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes, except a few months. 

Rohr: Were you in charge of this prisoner while he was con- 
fined in Harvue? 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes, he was in one of my wards. 

Rohr: Did you see him quite frequently and w^ere you fa- 
miliar with his condition during the time he was there 
from June 15th last, until July 10th. 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes. 

Rohr: What was he suffering from, if you know? 

Dr. McIntosh: Delirium tremens. 

Rohr: What form? 

Dr. McIntosh : From acute hallucinosis, or acute persecutory 
insanity — and somewhat resembling alcoholic trance. 



102 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Rohr: From his condition when he entered the hospital, da 
you think the defendant was in control of his mental 
faculties on June 12th last? 

Dr. McIntosh: My opinion is the same as Dr. Rodgers. I 
agree wdth him. 

Rohr: I am asking your opinion, not his. 

Dr. McIntosh {hesitates — shows he has much faith in Dr. 
Rodgers, that he will not disagree with him. Looks from 
Rohr to Dr. Rodgers and back) : I think he was in the same 
state mentally on June 12th that he was when taken to 
our ward on June 15th. 

Rohr {again very angry) : But didn't you tell me yesterday 
— every day — that he — {catches himself) Your honor, I 
wish to withdraw the last question. 
{Judge bows assent.) 

I wish to state, too, that I did not expect these answers 
from my expert witnesses. {To Ray nor) You may cross- 
examine. {He sits.) 

Raynor {rising and approaching a step or two toward witness) : 
Your opinion is then that Mr. Jackson was not in posses- 
sion of his mental faculties on June 12th last, to such an 
extent as to know what he was doing; that he would not 
know that he was committing murder even if he did cause 
Mrs. White's death. 

Dr. McIntosh {hesitates — thinks — looks at Dr. Rodgers) : 
Yes, that is my opinion. 

{It is evident that Dr. Mcintosh testifies as he does carrying 
out his idea of Dr. Rodgers' testimony — the natural one. 
Dr. Rodgers is not asked the last question by Raynor because 
it is presumed he knew why Dr. Rodgers answers the ques- 
tion relative to Jackson's mental condition as he does — 
and Raynor asks Dr. Mcintosh the question because he does 
not see how Dr. Mcintosh can answer it otherwise unless 
he too — is " on " to Jackson, as Raynor now believes Dr. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 103 

Rodgers is, Raynor then takes one more chance at Dr, 
Mcintosh.) 

Raynor: Isn't it, Doctor, a very common occurrence that 
persons in alcoholic trance commit crimes without the 
slightest idea of what they are doing and that when they 
regain their mental faculties they have no recollection of 
what they did while in that condition? 

Rohr: That question is objected to as not proper cross- 
examination. 

Judge Charles: Overruled. {To Dr, Mcintosh.) You may 
answer. 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes, it is true that crimes are often com- 
mitted by persons in a state of alcoholic trance without 
their having any knowledge or idea of what they are 
doing and with no recollection when they become normal 
again, of what they have done. 

Raynor: I will ask you then. Doctor, if in your opinion as a 
physician with special training and study and experience 
in alcoholic cases it is not rather likely that if Mr. Jackson 
committed this crime with which he is charged, on June 
12th last, he was in such a mental state as not to know 
what he was doing? 

Dr. McIntosh {hesitates, looks at Dr, Rodgers — answers to 
complete his already assumed position): Yes, that is my 
opinion. 

Raynor: It is a fact, is it not. Doctor, that Mr. Jackson in 
your opinion was never at any time from the day he 
entered your hospital on June 15th last until he was ar- 
rested on June 19th in the possession of his mental 
faculties? 

Rohr: I object to the question as improper cross-examina- 
tion. 

Raynor: If the court please, Mr. Rohr went into this point 
on direct examination. 



104 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Judge Charles: Objection overruled. 

Dr. McIntosh: That is my opinion. 

Raynor: And he continued that way until the early part of 
July last? 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes. 

Raynor: He has fully recovered now and is in possession of 
his complete senses? 

Dr. McIntosh: Yes. 

Raynor: That is all. 

Rohr: No further examination. Your honor, we have no 
more testimony. The state rests. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Raynor, are you ready to proceed 
with the defense. 

Raynor: If it please the court, I first desire to make a mo- 
tion for an advised verdict. 

Judge Charles: Very well, you may proceed. 

Raynor {rising and addressing court — very earnest and sin- 
cere tone — not loud, hut clear and distinct, no attempt at 
oratory) : Your honor, at this time the defendant moves 
that you advise the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, 
upon the grounds and for the reasons: 
First — the state has entirely failed to prove its case. 
Second — The state has entirely failed to prove a motive 
for the crime. 

Third — The state has proved that even if defendant 
committed the crime with which he is charged he was not 
in the possession of his mental faculties at the time such 
crime was committed and did not know what he was 
doing. 

Fourth — Defendant is now in possession of his full 
mental faculties and should therefore be discharged. 
Now if it please the court, we insist that there should be 
an advised verdict of not guilty in this case because the 
state has failed to prove the defendant guilty as charged. 



THE PINK DEETEES 105 

The state has not proved that Blake Jackson murdered 
Mrs. White. 

{Barbara shudders — very much interested and follows each 
word closely — business all through speeches,) 
The evidence submitted is entirely circumstantial. There 
is no positive proof of any kind that Jackson was at or 
near the apartment in which the Whites lived, on June 
12th last, the date of Mrs. White's death. There was 
some testimony that the man who committed this crime 
was of about defendant's stature and wore a suit of clothes 
such as that Mr. Jackson wore at the time he was taken to 
Harvue hospital. But if it please the court, what of 
that? There are in this city — there were in this city on 
June 12th last, perhaps a thousand suits of clothes identi- 
cal with that worn by Jackson at the time he was taken 
to Harvue and worn by men of approximately Jackson's 
size and build. But, your honor, I contend that there is 
no proof that Jackson wore that suit on June 12th. In 
all crimes, your honor, before there can be a conviction, 
or before there should be, some motive for such crime 
should be shown. This was a particularly cruel murder, 
therefore a strong motive should be shown. The motive 
the state sought to show, failed entirely. Jackson, the 
state's witnesses admitted, has always been a highly moral 
young man — why should he assault Mrs. White — 
that charge is wholly false and fabricated. And finally, 
your honor, I contend and most firmly maintain that 
even if this defendant caused Mrs. White's death on June 
12th last, he is not guilty, for has not the state proven by 
its expert witnesses, Dr. Rodgers and Dr. Mcintosh, that 
Jackson was not in the possession of his mental faculties 
on June 12th last. These men are experts in alcoholic dis- 
eases and its effect upon the human mind and body. 
They know from his condition on June 15th last that he, 



106 THE PINK DEBTEES 

on June 12th, was not capable mentally of committing a 
crime. The cases all hold, your honor, and I can cite you 
to many of them, that in such condition as Jackson was 
on June 12th last, according to the state's own witnesses, 
a man is not responsible for his acts, even for his crimes; 
that he could not have then committed a crime; that he 
does not have to answer for his act; that he must be set 
free. The state further proved that defendant is now in 
possession of his full mental faculties, therefore I ask the 
court at this time to advise and direct the jury to return 
a verdict of not guilty as charged. Your honor, may I at 
this time read some of these cases upholding my con- 
tention. 

Judge Charles: If you have nothing further but the au- 
thorities, I will listen to those when you reply to the dis- 
trict attorney. 

Raynor: Very well, your honor. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Rohr, if you please, I will hear you 
now. 

Rohr {speaks loud — makes attempt to be oratorical — not too 
successfully): Your honor, the contention of the defense 
is absurd in the extreme. It is true and I will not and can- 
not have the temerity to deny it, that our case is purely 
circumstantial, but if I may say it, there never was a case 
where circumstances were more positive. There never 
was a case where a net work of evidence was so strongly 
convicting as in the case at bar. It is not necessary to de- 
tail that evidence now — it is too clear in the mind of 
your honor to need repetition, but I will point out the 
fact that when Mrs. White was found murdered, horribly, 
brutally, most foully, there was clutched in her hand, 
{Taking exhibit from stenographer's desk) 
this piece of cloth — and where, your honor, did it come 
from? Where? Why from this coat. 



THE PINK DEBTEES 107 

(Taking coat from same place.) 

Of course, and see, your honor, again, how it fits. 

(Fits piece in coat.) 

Could it have been taken from any other coat under any 

other circumstances but in a death grip — and whose coat 

was this? Where did we find this coat? Why, your honor, 

— on this man Jackson (pointing to Jackson again) . 
When we arrested defendant, his hands and face were torn 
and scratched^ his body bruised and sore from the punish- 
ment he received from Mrs. White. There is no question 

— he is guilty. It is argued because he may have been 
a drunkard, that because he was so depraved and so low 
and so sodden as to fill himself with alcohol and to lose 
his mind thereby — that because of this crime not much 
less great than the foul murder he committed — that be- 
cause he continued this vile habit until he became de- 
lirius, and an alcoholic, a delirium tremens sufferer, that 
he should be allowed to go free. As has been said, your 
honor, by Lord Mansfield: "A man shall not disable 
himself by his own wilful crime; and such a disability 
the law will not allow him to plead. A man shall not be 
allowed to plead that he was drunk, in bar of a criminal 
prosecution, though perhaps he was at the time as in- 
capable of the exercise of reason as if he had been 
insane, because his drunkenness was itself a crime. 
He shall not be allowed to excuse one crime by an- 
other. — He cannot plead in excuse what, when pleaded, 
is no excuse." True, the cases hold that a man cannot 
knowingly debase himself in this way, fill himself with 
alcohol until he becomes deliriously insane, and then 
commit a crime that he has long desired to perpetrate — 
but, your honor, I ask you how anyone is to know but that 
even in this case this man Jackson may have had a mo- 
tive unknown to us and may have planned this crime he 



108 THE PINK DEBTEES 

committed on June l^th last; may have systematically set 
about it and then consumed gallons of alcoholic beverages 
until he had fitted himself for the crime he so fiendishly 
carried out a few short weeks ago? How are we to know 
but that he did that very thing? If he be set free now 
without being forced to take the stand in his own defense, 
who will ever know what he may have planned to do when 
he placed himself in the state of acute hallucinosis, or 
alcoholic trance, or whatever it may be? Does your honor 
not see what a great field for criminals will be opened up 
today if the jury is now advised to turn this man loose? 
In the name of all that is right and just and good, I ask 
that this motion be denied. Your honor, I maintain that 
we have proved the defendant's guilt; that an advised 
verdict should not be granted. I have no further argu- 
ment. {Rohr resumes his seat,) 

Judge Charles: Mr. Raynor, I shall be pleased to have you 
submit to me now such authorities as you may have on 
the point that the defendant's mental incapacity on 
June 12th might be a good defense — might require the 
court at this time to advise the verdict you request. 

Raynor {rising and taking up and opening Vol. 67, N. W. Re- 
porter, page 706) : If it please the court the case of French 
vs. State 42 N. W. 706, holds that " while drunkenness 
is no excuse for the commission of a crime, delirium tre- 
mens caused by drunkenness is an excuse if it produces 
such a state of mind as would, if otherwise produced, 
relieve the person from responsibility." 
Your honor, in this case the state has proved for us ex- 
actly this : That Jackson's delirium tremens made him lose 
his reasoning power — made him insane — caused him 
to lose his mental faculties. What is clearer than that? 
This reasoning the courts have followed from time im- 
memorable, and I believe will always follow. This ruling 



THE PINK DEBTEES 109 

was made by the court, in the ease of The Queen vs. 
Davis, 14 Cox Criminal Cases 564. In Terrill vs. State, 
a Wisconsin case cited in 42 Northwestern at page 243, 
the court quoting settled and long followed authorities, 
said of a man who had killed another: '* If you think he 
was so insane that if his insanity had been produced by 
any other causes he would not be responsible for his ac- 
tions, then the mere fact that it was caused by drunken- 
ness WILL NOT PREVENT IT HAVING THE EF- 
FECT, WHICH OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE 
had of excusing him from punishment." 
The court then cites cases holding the same way and indi- 
cated by the highest courts in Indiana, Minnesota, Ala- 
bama, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri and other states. 
Your honor, no cases holding to the contrary are cited. I 
have been unable to find any — THERE ARE NONE. 
{Taking up Vol. 5 Ohio State Reports, page 77, he reads) 
Delirium tremens, though the result or consequence of 
continued intoxication, is insanity or a diseased state of 
the mind which affects responsibility for crime in the 
same way as insanity produced by any other cause. 
{Maconneby vs. State, 5 Ohio State 77.) 
{Then taking Vol, 10 Texas Appeals 700, he reads) 
Delirium tremens is a species of insanity, rendering the 
party incapable of committing a crime. Though usually 
occurring in habitual drinkers after a few days' total ab- 
stinence from spirituous liquors it may result directly 
and immediately from drunkenness. {Erwin vs. State lOy 
Texas Appeals 700.) 
{From Vol. 12 Texas, he reads) 

If a person suffering from delirium tremens is so far insane 
as to render him irresponsible, the law does not PUNISH 
HIM FOR ANY CRIME he may commit. {Carter vs. 
State 12, Texas 500.) 



110 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Your honor, I have here dozens and dozens of just such 
cases which I shall be pleased to read if your honor de- 
sires, but I believe, there being no claim to the contrary, 
that the cases I have read should be sufficient to convince 
the court, if the court was ever in doubt, that the state 
itself has made for us a defense sufficient and complete. 
That it is not necessary for me now or later either by 
argument or the introduction of further testimony to 
take up the time of this court. It has been argued that 
the advising of a verdict for the defendant here today 
will open up an avenue of escape for those who may wish 
to commit crime and then claim irresponsibility, because 
of delirium tremens. Your honor, be that as it may, we 
are within the law. Courts have so held for years — the 
remedy is not here or now. — It is not for this court to 
do, but to follow the never wavering rule of ages — and to 
advise this jury to now and here find a verdict of " not 
guilty." I ask that not as a favor but as a right. Going 
any further now means but a reversal in the higher courts 
and the ultimate discharge of this prisoner in this court. 
Again I ask the court to advise the jury to find a verdict 
of '' not guilty." {He resumes his seat,) 
Judge Charles: Gentlemen of the jury: The law on this point 
in question seems to me to be very clear and well defined. 
It does not appear to be the province of the court to do 
anything but to grant the motion. I believe defendant 
should be found not guilty. This case should prove a 
lesson to this commonwealth, — to the Great American 
public, for it alone is to blame. {Looking at jury — the 
audience) Gentlemen, I advise and direct you at this time 
to return a verdict in this case of " Not Guilty." 
{Here there is a slight pause so the audience will have time 
to comprehend the full meaning of the Judge's instruction — 
Rohr disappointed, and so is Fox, Rejoicing by Ethel and 



THE PINK DEBTEES 111 

boys — but before time for any demonstration there is noise 
at door Left 2, and Louis rushes in with paper in his hand. 
He is greatly excited. It is about the size of a letter head and 
is folded twice. He rushes to the clerk's desk. Everyone ex- 
cited — he hands paper to Clerk and says, as clerk examines 
the writing.) 
Louis : Judge — Adams — Harry Adams is dying at Harvue 

and he has made a confession. 
Clerk: If it please your honor — here is what purports to 
be a confession, affecting this case. {Hands it to Judge 
Charles.) 
Judge Charles: Let us see! 
{Reads) 

" I, Harry Adams, now confined in Harvue Hospital, 
having been advised that I have but an hour or two to 
live and wanting to make such amends as I can before I 
die for the wrong I have done, confess that I killed Mrs. 
White on June 12th last at her home. I saw her husband 
leave the place. I went there to steal, and she saw me 
and screamed. I tried to quiet her and she fought. I was 
wild with drink. I didn't mean to kill her. She fought 
hard and I fought back to save myself. At last I killed 
her. I had on the suit of clothes that Jackson wore when 
he came to Harvue. I knew if I were caught with the 
suit with the piece torn from it by Mrs. White, I would be 
arrested at once — so I traded it to a second hand dealer 
for another suit. I have heard all about Jackson's arrest 
and trial and I don't want him to be punished for what I 
did. If this isn't believed, the man running a second-hand 
store at No. '^55 Blank street will prove that I traded the 
suit to him. I also attacked the nurse the day Jackson was 
arrested. I feared he would prove that I was guilty when 
he told where he got the suit, so I wanted to get away. 
A pal of mine gave me the gun and I seemed to have my 



112 THE PINK DEETEES 

senses for a few minutes. Don't punish Jackson. I 
murdered Mrs. White. I hope God will forgive me. 

" Signed 

'' Harry Adams." 

Witnesses : 

Otto Capp 
Louis Mundt 

Judge Charles: Where are the witnesses to this confession? 

Louie {excited) : I am one. I wrote that down. Adams asked 
me to do it when the doctors told him he had better get 
ready to die as he had only an hour or two to live. Otto 
Capp and the nurses heard him, and he told Dr. Jamieson. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Jackson, you are acquitted. 
{Raynor shakes hands with Jackson.) 
{Ethel rushes to him and embraces him,) 
{Suppressed demonstration by audience, and especially by 
Ethel and boys,) 

Judge Charles: I will say now that the sudden termination 
of this case finds us ready with no further work, and court 
will be adjourned now until two o'clock this afternoon, 
when the case of State of New York vs. Taylor will be 
called. Mr. Bailiff, tell the jury in this case it is excused. 
Mr. Jackson, permit me to congratulate you. 

Jackson : Your honor, I thank you and if I may be permitted 
to say a word in explanation of my conduct and the 
theory of the trial of this case, I will tell the court now 
that we proceeded as we did because we knew the state 
would show I had deliriums tremens. We believed we 
could prove by the state just what we did prove and felt 
that the defense would be the best one we could interpose 
because the circumstances pointed strongly to my guilt. 
I did not have delirium tremens. I was not ill at any time. 
I wanted to gain admittance to Harvue for a certain 
purpose {Looks at Barbara), and I studied delirium tre- 



THE PINK DEBTEES 113 

mens, alcoholic trance, acute hallucinosis, and all other 
forms of alcoholics. I read the subject from both a medi- 
cal and legal aspect and became thoroughly familiar with 
all forms of alcoholic diseases. As it was my vacation 
time I thought that I would do something romantic — 
so I let my beard grow, intentionally scratched my hands 
and face, bruised myself, not very seriously, however, so 
I would look more like one having delirium tremens, 
bought the old suit of clothes where Adams confessed he 
traded it, and after going several days with little to eat I 
pretended I had acute hallucinosis. — Then I went over 
near Harvue — because that was where she — I mean, 
that is where I wanted to be taken. Then I did my best 
— had an attack of acute hallucinosis. A policeman 
picked me up and I was hurried to Harvue. This man 
Adams' bed was next to mine. Fortunately she — that 
is — when the nurse took my pulse — I was excited and 
my pulse was above normal — and as I was weak from 
exhaustion and pain I really had some fever and my tem- 
perature, too, was above normal. The rest, your honor, 
was easy. 

Judge Charles: Mr. Raynor, is Mr. Jackson's story true 
so far as you have been able to ascertain? 

Raynor: Yes, your honor, I have positive proof that all he 
says is true. 

Judge Charles {to deputy sheriff) : I do not presume that 
Adams will live, but I wish that you would have some- 
one take charge of him until he either recovers or dies. 

Deputy Sheriff: Very well, your honor. 

(He goes out Right IE — state's attorneys follow.) 

Judge Charles: Mr. Bailiff, announce adjournment of this 
court until two o'clock this afternoon. 

Bailiff: Hear ye — hear ye — court is now adjourned until 
two o'clock this afternoon. 



114 THE PINK DEBTEES 

{The audience, excited and pleased, gradually files out as do 
court officials — clerk, bailiff, deputies, Lewis, They go up 
and around so as not to walk in front of characters,) 
{As they go out Ethel again goes to Jackson — embraces — 
boys rush to him and shake hands heartily, etc, Mrs, Duncan, 
who was in audience, comes to Barbara,) 

Ethel {as she releases herself from his arms) : It all seems like 
a dream. — Oh, I'm so happy. 

{They are above table — Jackson Center, Ethel goes to his 
Right.) 

Hal: You lucky dog — but you bet we are glad you are free. 
I don't care if I never work. We'll take our vacation now. 
{Goes to EtheVs Right,) 

Jackson: No, I'm afraid of your practical jokes — but that 
time I *' beat you to it " with the story in the ** Times." 
You didn't know your practical joke wasn't a joke after 
all. Now that it is all over the joke is on you. You pub- 
lished the story, but you didn't know I was actually ar- 
rested for the same crime. 
{Barbara stays near railing with mother,) 

Buddy: Hal said something about you getting in on the 
groundfloor, you did, didn't you? {As they shake hands ^ 
steps to Left a few feet as Bob goes front to Jackson,) 

Jackson: Yes — in the hospital and in the Toombs, too. 
No more ground floors for me. 

Bob {goes to Jackson as Jackson finishes speech) : Well, old 
man — they never would have found you guilty if I could 
have prevented it. 
{Barbara very interested and lonesome,) 

Jackson: You are all right, Bob. I know you would do any- 
thing for me. 
{Bob takes position next Left of Jackson,) 

Judge Charles {comes down back of Jackson from around 
upper end of his bench) : Mr. Jackson, what I am doing is 



THE PINK DEBTEES 115 

unusual, but I want to shake hands with you. I had a 
feeling all through this case that you weren't a murderer, 
{Jackson shudders.) 
{So does Barbara — very noticeably.) 

Jackson: Your honor, I thank you. 

Raynor: I want to go now, Mr. Jackson — I'll see you at 
lunch — may I? Telephone me. I want to say good-bye 
to everyone — and again to you, Mr. Jackson. {Shakes 
Jackson's hand.) {He exits Right 1 E.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Wonderful man! 

Judge Charles: I didn't understand his theory, but he cer- 
tainly had the right one. 

Dr. Rodgers {comes to Jackson in front of characters from 
Left) : Mr. Jackson, I knew — by the dogs — I knew that 
if we would just let nature take its course — it would all 
come out all right somehow. I didn't think you needed 
any electricity — I'm not fond of such shocks. My theory 
generally works out best after all — just let nature take 
its course. 
{He steps over to Left as Dr. Mcintosh comes from there.) 

Dr. McIntosh: Mr. Jackson, I know my testimony didn't 
harm you. I want to say good-bye now, I must go — but 
come out and see us. We'll treat you better next time. 

Jackson : I'll be out right away if she goes back — that is — 
of course I'll go out to see you — soon. 
{Dr. Mcintosh goes up and out entrance Left S.) 

Louie {has been waiting a chance to say good-bye, follows over 
from Left) : Mr. Jackson — I want to say I'm glad — I 
want to tell you that since I found out — she — was inter- 
ested in you — that I did all I could and I was glad when 
Adams confessed. Good-bye. 

Jackson: You were always decent to me, Louie — 
{They all call him Louie.) 
and I'll not forget it. If I ever get delirium tremens 



116 THE PINK DEBTEES 

again — I hope that I may get back to your ward and 
have you — and the same nurse — nurses — take my 
pulse — I mean take care of me. 

Amy and Flora {who have been back of railing — have come 
in and now say) : We want to say we are glad, too. 
{They shake hands with him, and Amy goes to Buddy and 
Flora to Hal. Bob has taken position near Ethel. 

Jackson: I'll never forget the days I spent in your ward. 
{They are pleased.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Judge, this has been a great case — by the 
dogs, a great one — and I have the best joke on — but here 
— here — where's Miss Duncan and Mrs. Duncan, too? 

Mrs. Duncan: We are here. We are glad, Mr. Jackson, that 
you have proved you are not guilty. 
{She shakes his hand. Dr. Rodgers goes to her — others have 
paired off as above indicated and gone up a little — to work 
out.) 

Dr. Rodgers: Now, Miss Duncan. 

Barbara {comes but a few feet — Jackson, rather flustered, 
comes toward her) : Mr. Jackson — I — I — well, you 
know I didn't think you were guilty. {She says this from 
bottom of her heart — almost in broken voice.) 

Jackson {meets her. Takes her hand — holds it a bit long — 
says it with emotion) : If I thought you did — I would 
want the jury to find me guilty. 

Barbara : Why — {shows she isn't quite ready before so 
many people to have him confess) Oh — Doctor — I think 
you ought to tell Judge — Charles that joke. 

Dr. Rodgers: May I, Judge? 

Judge Charles: Certainly. 

{Others are paired off, take seats or convenient positions as 
Dr. Rodgers sits in Clerk's seat. Judge Charles sits in 
Raynor's seat — Jackson and Barbara in seats in front and 
at Left of attorney's table.) 



THE PINK DEBTEES 117 

Dr. Rodgers: Well, it isn't really a joke — it came nearly 
proving very serious for someone — but this morning I 
ascertained for the first time — though I suppose it was 
time enough — that Mr Jackson on the day he was ar- 
rested — admitted to — someone — not very far from 
here — that he was Blake Jackson — Miss Ethel Jack- 
son's brother, and admitted — in effect, that he wasn't 
very much of an alcoholic. It has developed he had to 
pretend for a while longer that he was a very bad acute 
hallucinosis patient — and so today when Mr. Rohr was 
to prove by me that Jackson was no doubt well and in his 
right mind on June 12th — he expected me to testify as 
he thought I would — that is — that in my opinion Jack- 
son's hallucinosis started the day he was taken to the 
hospital — but when I learned that he was suddenly all 
right after his arrest — it was clear to me that he was 
'' faking," and I answered Rohr's question truthfully — 
that Jackson was in the same mental condition on June 
12th as he was on June 15th and on the day he was 
arrested. 

Judge Charles: I wondered why you testified that way. 

Dr. Rodgers: Here's the joke. Rohr didn't realize the sit- 
uation and he didn't examine me enough to discover the 
real facts — and the rest of the joke is that Dr. Mcintosh, 
not wanting to dispute me and believing that I meant 
that Jackson was mentally incapable of committing a 
crime on June 12th, testified positively that Jackson on 
June 12th could not have been in possession of his mental 
faculties. That settled it. The M.D.'s stole a march on 
the LL.B.'s. 

Jackson: Yes — and the DT's " slipped one over " on the 
M.D.'s and the LL.B's, too. 

Judge Charles (laughs) : Very good, very good. 

Dr. Rodgers: But Ksten: Miss Duncan won the day. She 



118 THE PINK DEBTEES 

didn't tell me of this until I was just to take the stand and 
until it was too late for me to explain to Rohr. She was 
the master mind — with all due honor to Raynor. 

Judge Charles: I was satisfied justice was being done, or I 
might have called for other experts. I must go. Good-bye, 
Doctor, good-bye Mr. Jackson and Miss Duncan. Good- 
bye to you all. 

{Each says good-bye — as Judge — speaks to respective 
characters — then as he says, " Good-bye alW^ a bailiff 
enters Right 1 E toith Jackson's hat and going back of at- 
torney's table hands it to him. Jackson nods thanks. No 
pause,) 

Omnes: Good-bye. 

Hal: Now that — Judge Charles has gone, say, Jack, how 
are your polynuclear leukocytes? 

Buddy: Yes — did they have those at Harvue? 

Bob: And how about your eosinophiles? 

Jackson: If you really wish to know there was an increase 
in the polynuclear leukocytes and a diminishing of the 
mononuclear — but no leukocytes. My case was a severe 
one, so the eosinophiles were absent, and all were pink. 

Dr. Rodgers: Young man — let nature take its course. 

Hal: If it doesn't I hope it chokes. 

Bob : I hate to seem worldly — but it's nearly time to eat. 
Now, Hal, Buddy and I have made Jack a lot of trouble 
and worry. We want to apologize by more than mere 
words — we want you all — to come to lunch with us at 
— where — let me see — the Plaza — don't we? 

Buddy and Hal: Aye — aye — sir — and many of them. 

Bob: And then come what may. Miss Jackson, may I — 

Ethel: If the others are to go — of course. {Steps to Left 
slightly,) 

Omnes : Of course we are. 

Buddy: And Miss Burt? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 119 

Amy: Gladly. 

{They go slightly Left) 
Hal: Miss Andrews, I hope, you ch — I mean I hope you 

will go with me. 
Flora: I'll be glad to choke for you — if it will please you. 

{Hal very much pleased. They go slightly Left — and as 

each couple goes Left the others go a few steps farther — and 

all wait,) 
Dr. RoDGERs: Mrs. Duncan — all this time — all this 

trial will be worth while — if I may go with you to lunch 

with these children. 
Mrs. Duncan: If you hadn't asked me I'd certainly been 

offended. 
Dr. Rodgers {very greatly elated — shows it) : Thank you, 

thank you! 

{As before, each couple moves a little farther towards entrance 
Left 2E — S0 that now Boh and Ethel are nearly ready to 
exit — Buddy and Amy a little farther in — Hal and Flora 
about at gate and Mrs, Duncan and Dr. Rodgers Left of 
table — all in line — but in couples, Jackson and Barbara 
are still in front of table Center, Dr, Rodgers continuing) 
Oh, by the way. Miss Duncan — have you found all that 
local color? 

All: Local color? 

Dr. Rodgers: Yes, didn't you know she became a nurse to 
go to Harvue to get — pink — I mean local color for a 
story she wanted to write. And as nearly as I can learn 
Jackson went there for color, too — his color — favorite 
color — all through his — acute hallucinosis and kindred 
ailments was — pink. I told Miss Duncan she'd find 
color enough for a rainbow and a diamond at the end of 
the bow. If I'm not mistaken the diamond is nearly in 
sight. 
{Jackson and Barbara noticeably flurried,) 



120 THE PINK DEBTEES 

Dr. Rodgers: Mrs. Duncan — do you mind if we go and 
leave these color seekers alone? 

Mrs. Duncan: Certainly not. Barbara is old enough to 
know what color she wants. 

Hal: Well — say, Bob and Buddy — we'll just make this 
lunch a pink tea. 

(All laugh — as they go in couples. Then, as they go outside 
they gather about the door for moment — and peek as Jack- 
son and Barbara look at each other and smile — then, as 
Jackson goes to her, all leave door and disappear, leaving 
Jackson and Barbara alone.) 

Jackson : Miss Duncan — Barbara — I'm going to call you 
Barbara always — there isn't any need of my delaying. 
I've been waiting ever since the day I first saw you for 
this opportunity. 

Barbara: When did you first see me? 

Jackson (during this speech Jackson takes her to down stage 
side of attorney's table and they stand close to table) : I was 
at the Hotel Astor Roof Garden that night at a table near 
you, when you, your mother and Dr. Rodgers were dis- 
cussing your work at Harvue. I heard enough of the con- 
versation to assure me that you were to be employed as 
a nurse in the DT ward at that hospital. 
(Barbara is right of Jackson,) 

Barbara (shows very much interest) : Yes — yes. 

Jackson (getting closer to her) : You wore pink — everything 
pink. I never paid any attention to any girl before. They 
all looked alike to me. But you — you were so wonder- 
fully pretty — so unusual (he takes her hand — she doesn't 
object) that I couldn't help doing what I did. It seemed 
preordained. I wanted you — I made up my mind to 
do something desperate. It seemed as if I had known 
you and loved you always. 

Barbara: Always? 



THE PINK DEBTEES 121 

Jackson: Always — from the beginning of the world — and 
before. I made up my mind that I would be near you 
even if I had to get the delirium tremens to accomplish 
that end, and determined I would have acute hallucinosis 
— as I explained to the Judge — so I could be with you 
at the hospital. 

Barbara: It was a desperate chance. I'm glad you took it. 

Jackson: And you have done so much for me — you have 
been so good to me. It's all like a dream — a beautiful 
dream come true. Barbara, you know I love you greater 
than anyone else was ever loved. {He holds her close) 
You don't mind loving me do you, if I promise never to 
have pink deetees again? 

Barbara: Blake, you know I was looking for color — and — 
I'm very fond of pink. 
(They turn and face each other,) 

Jackson: Let's let nature take its course. {He takes her in 
his arms — holds her there and kisses her.) 

CURTAIN 

Second Curtain 

{They are hurrying to Left 2 to join others at lunch,) 



StAviR -Rowland Pmss 

271 Franklin Si. 

HOSTOM 



Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 '^''"'® 

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